Exposure

by Ember Dante

  “Are you sure about this, Emmy?” he asked, releasing a flutter of butterflies in the pit of my stomach. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  “Yes, this is what I want,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “So, where are we going?”

  “I have a room at the Gaylord.” I took a step back, stunned by his revelation. “I’m here on business,” he added, noticing my sudden trepidation. “I didn’t plan this, Emmy. You took me by surprise.”

  For some reason I trusted him. “Okay. Lead the way.”

  It was a quick walk to the hotel, and before I knew it, we were standing at Ian’s door. We’d held hands the entire way, which was rather sweet, but my nerves kicked in, and I could feel a thin layer of sweat covering my palms. My head was spinning. I couldn’t believe that I was going through with this. I was about to have scorching hot sex with someone I’d just met—well, I hoped it would be scorching hot. Based on our earlier kiss, it was hard to imagine it any other way.

  Ian pulled the key card from his pocket and turned to face me. “This is it, Emmy. Last chance. Are you sure about this?”

  I sucked in a breath and looked up at him, hovering on the verge of changing my mind. Our eyes met and all doubt vanished. I knew this was exactly where I wanted to be, and who I wanted to be with. The entire situation should have scared the shit out of me, but there was something about Ian that made me feel safe. I couldn’t explain it if I tried.

  The corners of my mouth lifted. Trying to play it cool, I bit down on my bottom lip to stifle my burgeoning smile. I stepped forward, snaked my arms around his neck, and finally slid my fingers through the hair at his nape. I was right. It was silky to the touch. Even though I was wearing heels, he was still quite a bit taller, and I had to stretch to press my lips to his throat. His skin was warm and a little salty, with an underlying taste that was undeniably Ian. It was intoxicating.

  Lust took over, prompting me to leave open mouth kisses up the side of his neck and behind his ear. In an uncharacteristic move, I nipped his earlobe with my teeth and pulled it between my lips. His answering groan vibrated through me, hardening my nipples into stiff points that begged for attention.

  He folded an arm around my waist and pulled me flush against him. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who really wanted this.

  “Emmy,” he whispered. “We can’t start this here. Once I start, I won’t be able to stop.”

  I tightened my arms around his neck and nuzzled his cheek, enjoying the sensation of stubble against my skin.

  “Then open the damn door,” I breathed, my lips inches from his ear.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he growled.

  In one swift motion, Ian unlocked the door and swept me inside. Moonlight streamed through the open curtains, bathing the center of the room in an ethereal glow but leaving the rest in darkness. The play of light and shadow added a touch of mystery, making the scenario even more erotic.

  He held me tight against him, my feet dangling above the floor, and didn’t release me until my back was pressed against the wall. There was enough ambient light that I could just make out the set of his jaw, the curve and breadth of his shoulders. Our breath combined to fill the space between us, crackling with life, energizing the moment and building the anticipation. Just when I thought I couldn’t wait any longer, he tangled his fingers in my hair and jerked my head backward, tilting my chin and holding me in place.

  Yes.

  It was exactly what I wanted.

  He ravaged my mouth, consuming me and sending pleasure rushing through me. Overwhelmed by the need to touch him, I flung my purse to the floor and placed my palms flat on his chest, gliding them over the firm planes of muscle hidden just beneath the smooth fabric of his shirt. A low moan—almost a growl—echoed in his throat, and the sound shifted my libido into overdrive. It felt like setting a match to kindling, that initial spark that created fire. Needing more, I wrapped myself around him, making good on my earlier intent to climb him like a tree. He certainly could have been a tree; he was hard enough. Everywhere.

  Without breaking our kiss, he released my hair and lifted me, forcing himself between my legs and pinning me to the wall with his hips. The pressure of his body and the way he ground into my aching center made me even more desperate to have him. My hands were restless, moving over every part of him I could touch. He was driving me insane, and he hadn’t even fucked me yet.

  Ian tightened his grip on my thighs and backed away just enough to speak, his mouth hovering over mine.

  “I need to see you,” he rasped, spilling warm breath over my face. “Hold tight, baby.”

  All I could do was nod.

  Three long strides and I found myself on my back, my hair spilling around me and across my face. Ian climbed astride me, both of his legs straddling one of mine. The impish grin on his face told me quite a bit more about him. Not only was he sexy as hell, but he could also have fun. And wasn’t that the point?

  His hand smoothed the hair from my face before continuing to my shoulder, down my arm, and over my breast, finally stopping at my waist.

  “I know I said it earlier, but you are beautiful,” he whispered, clenching his fingers into my side. His chin dipped so he could look down the length of my body. “This dress...” he sighed. “I’ve been dying to see what’s underneath.”

  The words stoked the fire he’d started, but I swallowed a laugh about the dress. It was one of my favorites, my first splurge, a black Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress that fit like a dream.

  Ian kissed me again, gently this time, though no less passionate than when he had me pinned against the wall. His hand skimmed up my side to plump my breast then down again to pluck the tie securing my dress. The material slid away, exposing my overheated skin to the cool air and raising goose flesh in its wake.

  “Ian...” I whined, part raw need, part frustration. Didn’t he realize how badly I wanted him?

  His only response was to open my dress further, revealing me as his mouth moved down my body, peppering my skin with kisses and delicate nips. He took his time, tasting every inch of me, even stopping to circle my navel with his tongue before continuing lower. I barely noticed when he slid my thong down my legs and parted my thighs. In a dual assault on my already strained senses, he blew across my cleft, teasing me, while his fingers drifted over my skin, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take and my body strained to get closer. He took mercy on me and swiped his tongue. The simple touch was all it took, and an involuntary spasm surged through me, arching my back when I climaxed with a shout. His tongue swirled around my clit, extending my orgasm, and didn’t stop until my tremors ceased.

  Awareness of my surroundings crept in, and I swear I heard a chuckle when he backed away. Disappointed at his departure and wanting more, I lifted my head in time to watch him strip. Holy shit. I had no idea what he did to stay in shape, but it was obvious he took care of himself. His torso was well-defined—ripped, as Jules would say—and narrowed to lean hips. The perfect male shape, including the precious “V” that made women stupid. A smattering of hair covered his chest—not too much—and a slight trail began at his navel and disappeared beneath the band of his boxer-briefs. He winked, letting me know he caught my silent appraisal and slid them slowly past his hips and down his thighs, finally kicking them aside. Maintaining eye contact, he folded at the waist and reached for the floor before returning to his full height with a condom wrapper clenched between his teeth. He gripped it with one hand, tore the wrapper open with his teeth, and spit the torn strip to the side. Damn. Talk about hot. I was practically salivating.

  I lifted onto my elbows, enjoying the way the moon highlighted the stretch and movement of his muscles, and realized I was still half-clothed. That would not do. I didn’t want to miss the sensation of being completely naked against him, and soon my remaining clothes were puddled on the floor beside the bed. Our gazes remained locked until he lowered his hands to roll o
n the condom. My eyes bulged. I had no idea what the national average penis size was, but it appeared he had it beat in both length and girth. I wasn’t a virgin, but I still wasn’t entirely certain he wouldn’t split me in half.

  He winked again and crawled onto the bed, placing light kisses along my legs, belly, and breasts. I was a bundle of nervous energy, knowing I’d implode if I didn’t have him soon.

  “I can’t wait any longer. I have to be inside you...now,” he whispered, his mouth a breath away from my ear.

  “Take me,” I replied, folding my legs around him. I wished I could muster enough wit to say more, but that was all I could manage.

  My words were the green light he needed, and he drove into me, making me cry out with a mixture of pleasure and pain. He filled me completely, stretching me to the limit. It had been far too long since I had experienced that feeling. I wasn’t sure I’d ever felt that way before, and it took a few moments to catch my breath.

  “Fuck, baby. You feel incredible,” he groaned. “You are so tight.” He remained still, allowing me time to adjust to his size. “Are you okay? I really need to move.”

  Panting, I tightened my legs and lifted my pelvis, my unspoken consent, because frankly, I couldn’t speak. The only sounds I could make were moans of pleasure. He drew his impressive length from me, swiveled his hips, and thrust back inside. His movements were slow and deliberate at first, but he soon set a punishing rhythm as he fucked me hard and fast—pure, raw, animalistic fucking—and I loved it. Each thrust was punctuated by an equally forceful groan, the sound muffled by his mouth pressed against my throat, his breath hot against my skin. My hips moved in time with his, and the familiar build up signaling my climax began. He seemed to sense how close I was and rubbed his thumb over my clit.

  “Come for me, baby.”

  I was helpless against the command in his voice. The spasms engulfed me as the orgasm began, and his thrusting increased in intensity. My muscles clenched around his dick, and he hardened even more when his entire body tensed. A low growl reverberated in his chest when he came, his hips pumping as he emptied himself into the condom. We lay in a breathless heap, still wrapped around each other, slowly coming down from our high. He began to stir and gently eased himself off the bed.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  He disappeared into the bathroom, and when he returned, he pulled back the covers, urging me underneath. He followed, pulling me against him in a spooning position, his arm tightening around me as he placed a gentle kiss behind my ear.

  “Sleep now, gorgeous.”

  2

  Emmy

  It had to be a dream. That was the only explanation for the lips moving up my throat. They followed the path to my jaw to coax open my mouth for a deep and sensuous kiss. I moaned with pleasure. Maybe it wasn’t a dream. Maybe it was Heaven. Either way, it was a wonderful wake up call.

  Ian pulled away and brushed his lips down my body. A deep sigh bubbled up my throat when he pushed my legs apart to make room for his shoulders. That sigh turned into a gasp the moment he drew his tongue across my aching center. It was impossible to keep still, to control the movement of my arms and legs as they stretched and flexed against the bed, enjoying the contrast between the soft sheets and the coarse whiskers abrading my sensitive skin. Just when I thought it couldn’t feel any better, he slipped first one, then two, fingers inside to send me spiraling out of control. My muscles contracted around his fingers, and I released another moan, hands fisting the sheets and back arching off the bed with my cry of ecstasy.

  I forced my eyes open and squinted against the early morning sunlight. Waking that early on a Saturday wasn’t my normal behavior, but neither was being in bed with someone like Ian. It was definitely something I could get used to. He crawled up my body until we were face to face, his lips curved into a warm smile, and looking very much like the cat who ate the canary. Heat flooded my cheeks when the thought popped into my head that he had indeed done just that.

  He kissed me again and nudged my legs wider apart with his knee before thrusting inside. A low groan left his throat as he filled me, a sound I could both hear and feel. Damn, it was sexy. Another moan echoed in his chest, and he pulled my knee farther up his body, giving him the space to drive deeper. His rhythm was slower than the night before but still urgent, and I folded my arms around him, holding him close, my fingers pressed into his shoulders. We slid against each other, slick with a light sheen of sweat, our hips working together in a hungry push and pull.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” he breathed, his voice a raspy sound that vibrated through me.

  The only reply I could muster was a groan, and it was a miracle I could do that given the explosion of sensations rushing through me. Without breaking stride, he adjusted the angle of my hips, increasing the friction and pushing me that much closer to climax.

  “Come with me,” he whispered, picking up the tempo to chase his own release.

  I shattered. My hands drifted down his back and dug into the curve of his ass, urging him to go faster and draw out my orgasm. He complied, thrusting harder and deeper until his entire body shuddered and he came with a shout.

  He thrusted a few more times and then rested his head next to mine. The quiet room was filled with the sounds of our ragged breathing, and it took several moments before either of us could move, let alone speak. My fingers caressed his back, lazily moving over his firm torso. For a brief moment, I wondered what it would be like to wake beside him every day. I cut off that thought with a quick mental head shake, reminding myself it was simply a one-night stand with a hot guy I met in a bar—a really hot guy who just happened to be incredible in bed. A soft growl escaped before I realized it, and he lifted his head at the noise.

  “Are you okay? Do you want me to move?”

  I tightened myself around him. “No. Don’t move.”

  Propping his head on one hand, he caressed my cheek with the other, opening his mouth only to snap it closed again.

  “What?” I asked.

  “I’ve never met anyone quite like you.”

  “You mean an easy lay?” I laughed. “I find it difficult to believe you have trouble charming women into bed.”

  His hand stilled. “No, that’s not what I meant,” he sighed. “You’re the most captivating person I’ve ever met, and at the same time, you’ve built walls around yourself. I saw flashes of that last night. You don’t trust easily, yet here you are.”

  The unexpected insight made my cheeks flame. Turning my face away, I closed my eyes, willing him to drop the subject. Once again, he wasn’t having it and gently nudged my chin until I faced him again.

  “Hey. I’m not trying to pry, but I can see it. I see you.”

  I mimicked his earlier gesture, opening and closing my mouth, but no sound escaped. I must have looked like a damn fish out of water. I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. My past with Brett wasn’t up for discussion—especially not with someone I just met. Ian was great in bed—and he seemed like a genuinely nice guy—but I wasn’t about to tell him my life story, so I clamped my mouth shut and closed my eyes again with a shake of my head.

  Ian nodded. “It’s cool. You don’t have to tell me. I know we don’t know each other that well. Whoever he is—he’s an idiot. He didn’t realize what he had.”

  He stopped stroking my hair to reach beneath the covers and deal with the condom as he lifted himself off me. His gaze was intense, but he smiled before brushing a quick kiss against my lips.

  “Let’s go get cleaned up.”

  Leading me into the bathroom, he placed another condom on the shower ledge and turned on the water.

  “What makes you think you’re going to need that?” I asked, arching a brow.

  A mischievous smile lit his face, and he wrapped his arms around me. “Because I’m a greedy bastard and I’m not ready to let you go yet.”

  My stomach twisted with excitement at his words because, truthfully, I wasn’t ready to leave, regardless
of the serious turn of our conversation. He adjusted the temperature and stepped into the shower, pulling me under the warm spray with him. Almost immediately, he poured shampoo into his hand and worked it through my hair, his fingers massaging my scalp. The action was intimate, and an unfamiliar, fluttery sensation took root deep in my belly. He waited until the water rinsed the last bit of lather from my hair before lowering his mouth to mine. His hands floated down my body, caressing and teasing my wet flesh. One hand reached for the condom while the other continued its journey south. Two fingers pushed between my folds and slid inside, maintaining a slow, easy rhythm as he held the wrapper to my mouth in a silent request to grip it between my teeth so he could tear it open. Once he was sheathed, he lifted me and forced my legs around his waist. The force of his thrust pinned me against the wall, impaling me, and we moved against each other, heading toward sweet oblivion.

  I dressed quickly before Ian joined me, resigned to the inevitable walk of shame. I was tying my dress when he walked into the room, wearing only a towel around his waist. The damn thing was hanging low on his hips, and it wasn’t long before I sent up a prayer for it to slip and fall to the floor. I had to fight the urge to run over and remove it with my teeth. Unaware of my x-rated thoughts, he began pulling clothes from a duffel bag on the other side of the bed. He stood with his back to me, and I watched him move, memorizing the way his sculpted shoulders and back tapered to his waist. Biting my lip, I fantasized licking the hot as hell dimples in his lower back, just above his fine ass. Damn. I needed to leave before I made a complete fool of myself, hopefully without things becoming even more awkward than they already felt. He dropped the towel to pull on a fresh pair of boxer-briefs. Heaven help me. Memories of what the man could do with that body rushed through my mind, weakening my already shaky resolve.