He dropped to one knee, and she gripped his shoulders as he removed each of her boots, then gently massaged each foot.
She sighed. “That feels incredible.”
“Good, baby. I want you to feel good.” The scent of her desire made his mouth water. Sliding his hands up her outer thighs, he rose one degree at a time and pressed a kiss to the cleft of her glistening sex.
His name sailed from her lips like a secret—“Mick”—and he forced himself to continue moving, slowing again to press a kiss just above her belly button and another to the swell of each breast. She was shaking, and he wasn’t in much better shape, hard and desperate for more. But he’d made a promise, and he intended to keep it.
Gazing into her eyes, he wasn’t surprised by the trust and shyness swimming in them. “You’re beautiful, Amanda, and I know you’re not used to having someone touch your body without an ulterior motive, but try to let yourself relax. Try to enjoy being touched and worshipped without the promise of sex hanging over you. As I said, this isn’t about sex.”
Her hand circled his erection. “Seems like it might be.”
He smiled. “I’d love to bend you over the sink and take you from behind, baby. To sink into you and fuck you until”—you never want another man—“you’re too spent and satiated to think.”
Her breathing hitched, and her nails dug into his skin, making his struggle to hold back even tougher.
“We have plenty of time to play later. This is about cherishing you. I can’t help it if my cock has other ideas.” He brushed his thumb over her lower lip, then took her hand and guided her into the steamy shower. He stepped in behind her and gathered her hair over one shoulder to keep it from getting wet.
“Relax, baby. I’ve got you.” He kissed her from shoulder to neck. “You’re shaking. Are you cold?”
“No. Nervous.”
He circled her waist with one arm and pressed his chest to her back. “I want to make you feel as special as you are. I’ve got you, baby.” He held her beneath the warm shower as it rained down over her. “You’re safe with me.”
She exhaled, and he felt the tension in her muscles ease. He took his time washing her front first, neck, shoulders, and breasts, reveling in her tiny, desperate gasps as he moved over her nipples, down her belly to her mound, to her inner thighs. He lifted each arm, washing from wrist to shoulder and beneath. He lathered her with soapy hands, memorizing the dips and curves of her supple body, soaking in every tremble, every sigh. As the bubbles washed away, he sealed those newly cleaned areas with kisses. Moving behind her again, he pressed his chest to her back and reached over her shoulder, taking her in a long, sensual kiss. The position was purposeful, requiring each of them to strain if they wanted it enough. He liked heightening her pleasure, doing things she didn’t expect, rousing sensations he didn’t think she’d experienced before. Her skin was hot and slick. She ground her ass against his cock, driving him out of his mind. He ached to take this further, but he resisted, wanting her to feel precious and safe.
“We have all day, baby,” he assured her. “Anticipation is half the fun. Let me take care of you. Just relax and enjoy the ride.” She whimpered, and he kissed her again, then released her face, focusing on her sleek backside again.
He crouched on the shower floor, washing her feet, ankles, and calves, and kissing each set of freckles as he discovered them—behind her knee, down the center of the back of her thigh. He loved knowing where her unique markings were. More secrets. He massaged her thighs as the bubbles washed away, earning another sweet whimper. She was killing him. He caressed the curve of her ass, kissing each firm globe as they rinsed clean.
“You’re driving me crazy,” she pleaded.
“Sorry, baby,” he said with a gratified smile. He loved knowing the effect he had on her. He ran his finger down the crease between her cheeks, teasing her tightest hole and gauging her reaction. Her deep moan was all the invitation he needed to take it a little further, though he had no intention of going past bringing her new and exciting pleasures. Spreading her cheeks, he ran his tongue from the top of the crease all the way to her hole and circled the rim.
“Ohmygod.” She thrust her ass out and reached for the wall. The visual was almost too much to take, her perfect ass hiked up, her legs slightly spread, and her glorious body on full display.
“Don’t stop,” she begged.
He hadn’t realized he’d paused to drink in the erotic sight of her. He teased and licked in time to her rocking hips, sinking lower as she widened her stance. He couldn’t resist tasting her slick heat. Sweet as honey. He licked from one entrance to the other, lingering on each.
“Again,” she pleaded.
My pleasure. He did it again, and she moaned louder, more tortured.
“Baby, those sounds. You’re seriously testing my control.”
“Don’t stop. Please don’t stop,” she said breathlessly.
Rising to his feet, he pressed his chest to her back again, moving them both toward the wall.
“This isn’t supposed to be about sex,” he said harshly, though he was talking to himself. “You’re worth more than sex, Amanda. You need to know that.” He reached around her and pressed his hand over her heart. “In here, where it counts. You need to know you’re not just a pretty girl to fuck.”
“I know that when I’m with you.”
When I’m with you. “God, baby, what you do to me.” He lowered his forehead to her shoulder as she ground her ass against him.
“Just…Do what you were doing. Lick me there.”
He was pushing his limits on restraint. He should have known their connection was too deep, their fire burned too hot, to draw such a thin line between how far he’d go and how far he wanted to go.
Thrusting her ass against him again, she said, “Please?” in an excruciatingly innocent voice.
No fantasy could come close to the woman he adored giving herself so freely to him. And she was no longer his fantasy. She was here now. His for the weekend. She widened her legs, and he gave her what she wanted, licking and teasing, until she was panting and whimpering and he was on the verge of losing it. He thrust his tongue into her ass, and she cried out in sweet anguish.
“Touch yourself,” he commanded. There was no turning back now. He had to make her come, had to feel her body shudder and shake.
Her hand dropped to her thigh, and he covered it with his own, moving it between her legs and pressing her fingers into her slick heat.
“That’s it, baby. Feel that? That’s what I do to you.” He fisted his cock and pumped as he licked her ass and she fingered herself. “I could watch you and eat you all day long. I’m so hard. So fucking hard for you.”
She stilled. The sound of the water and their heavy breathing mixed with the sound of flesh on flesh as he stroked his cock.
“Take me,” she said shakily.
His hand stilled.
“There.”
He closed his eyes against the tentative demand in her sweet voice. “Amanda.” He didn’t mean to growl, but there was only so much he could take before he gave in.
“Please,” she whispered. “I’ve never…”
Christ. Another first. A huge first. “Baby…”
She turned and faced him with fierce determination. “I thought this was my weekend.”
“It is, but—”
She pushed the fingers that had been between her legs into his mouth, filling him with her essence, and he sucked them clean. Fear stormed inside him—of the emotions she was unearthing and the rampant desire she’d unleashed. He hadn’t meant for this to lead to sex, but hell, he was only human.
“Christ, baby,” he pleaded. “You can’t undo this.”
“I know I’ll never feel this safe again, and I want to experience everything, Mick. With you. I trust you.”
Her eyes pleaded as fervently as her words, shattering his last shred of control. He crashed his mouth over hers, taking her in a punishingly intense kiss.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said between kisses.
“I know you won’t. I trust you.”
He was as good as gone, and he had a feeling Monday would bring a world of hurt no matter how many times he warned her—or himself. “You’re sure? Come Monday, you’ll feel this every time you look at me.”
She searched his face, but he had the distinct impression she wasn’t registering it at all—she’d gone introspective, soul searching.
“I’m more than sure, Mick.” She went up on her toes and pressed her lips to his, then turned around, and braced her hands against the wall.
Holy hell. He knew he’d see this image for the rest of his life. He kissed her spine, the back of her neck, her shoulders. His hands traveled south, and he dipped his fingers into her pussy, drenching them with her desire before touching them to the place she was offering. “I’m going to ease in, to get you ready, baby. If it hurts, we’ll stop.”
She nodded.
He slid one finger past the tight rim of muscles, and she gasped. “Too much?”
“No. More.”
He’d probably be struck by a truck for allowing himself to do this when he knew he couldn’t give her the relationship she really wanted. But this was their weekend, and he wasn’t about to deny either of them the pleasures they craved. He pushed two fingers in and her ass clenched tight. She moaned, her fingers clawing at the wall. He leaned forward, covering her hand with his and interlacing their fingers.
“I’ve got you, baby.” He worked her ass until she moved with him more comfortably, meeting each inward thrust with a rock of her hips. “That’s it, baby. We can stop at any time.” He kissed her neck, grazed his teeth over her shoulder, and her breathing went from tenuous to lust-filled, fast and eager. “You run this show, baby. Tell me when you’re ready.”
She rested her head back against his shoulder. “I’m ready.”
He withdrew carefully, washing his hand before guiding his cock into her center, earning another sharp gasp. “Just for a minute, baby. Lubrication.”
Her pussy was so tight from the ass play he could have stayed buried there for the rest of the day. But she was giving him a gift, a chance to be closer to her than he’d ever imagined, and he wanted that more than he wanted his next breath. The warm water rained over them as he withdrew from between her legs and positioned the head of his cock at her tighter entrance. Her fingers curled around his as he pushed into her viselike channel. She sucked in a sharp breath.
“Too much?”
“Yes,” she said, and he stilled. “No. Keep going.”
He pushed in deeper, and she cried out. He froze, half buried. “We’ll stop.”
“No! Keep going,” she panted out.
He wrapped his other hand around her waist and drove in with one fast thrust, until he was buried to the hilt.
“Ow, ow! Don’t stop. Don’t stop.”
It killed him to hear pain tangled with the desire in her voice, and for a beat, he remained still.
“Please don’t stop, Mick.”
“Okay, baby. I hate to hurt you.” He kissed the back of her neck, and she pressed back.
“I know,” she said. “Don’t stop.”
He moved slowly, giving her the chance to get used to the fullness, the burn. “Still with me?”
“Yes. Yes, so good.”
“That’s right, baby. You feel so good, and I’m going to make you feel even better.” He moved his hand from her waist to between her legs.
“Oh Lord,” she said in a heady voice. “That’s…Wow. The pain.”
Mick stilled again, gutted. “Amanda—”
Her head fell between her shoulders. “Don’t stop. I didn’t expect to like it.”
Relief and something much bigger, much more meaningful, enveloped him. He refused to name the emotions, but he allowed himself to feel and acknowledge their overwhelming presence.
“Good, baby. Now let’s make you come.”
He reveled in the sweet sounds of surrender streaming from her lips as she came and the explosiveness of his relief as he followed her over the edge. Wrapping his arms around her middle, kissing her cheek, her shoulder, her neck, anywhere he could reach, he reassured her, told her how incredible she was. He wanted all of her, heart and soul, but he was a prisoner to his conscience. She wasn’t his beyond this weekend, and thinking she could ever be set them both up for a world of hurt. He crammed the possessive thought down beneath his desire, beneath the emptiness that had been his companion for far too long, to a well of unending darkness.
If only he had a cap and chains to keep it there.
Chapter Nine
THE FALL FESTIVAL was in full swing when Mick and Amanda finally made it to the fairgrounds. Colorful balloons waved from the corner posts of big white tents, like confetti that had been tossed from the sky. A cool breeze swept off the lake, carrying sounds of families frolicking by the shore and festivalgoers laughing and talking, eating ice cream, cupcakes, and pink blooms of cotton candy. Giggling teenage girls huddled together, eyeing surly and cocky boys, full of life and the indestructability of youth. Amanda had expected to be hugely embarrassed after what they’d done in the shower, but all through lunch she’d waited for mortification to hit, and it never did. She was as relieved as she was baffled. How could being with him feel so right and still be temporary?
They meandered through tents, marveling at arts and crafts and listening to music coming from the bandstand. She was fully entrenched in the fantasy he’d created for her, bringing her into this gorgeous small town, into the safety of his arms, and allowing her to explore parts of herself she’d never imagined wanting to explore. With Mick, it felt natural to want to experience every sensation she possibly could, to be as close as two people could get. He was a feast for her body, her brain, and her heart, regardless of the confines he’d drawn around them. And even more of a mystery to her now than when he’d worn a mask. He was tender and kind, yet visceral and, at times, slightly controlling. She’d noticed that along with his more aggressive side came a thoughtful tenderness, checking in with her often to ensure she was okay, and it was an entrancing combination. Like a sleek and powerful panther exposing its soft underbelly. He’d fulfilled his promise of pampering her after he’d finished satisfying her surprising naughty desires. He’d lavished her with kisses, soothed her with reassurances and compliments as sweet as candy, and washed her so lovingly, she didn’t know how he was going to pretend any better than she would be able to on Monday.
Mick tightened his arm around her and pressed his lips to her temple, drawing her toward another tent. Above the entrance, a gold banner with La Love written in black script across the center waved in the breeze.
“Hi, y’all. Welcome to La Love,” a pretty brunette said from behind a jewelry display. She did a double take when she saw Amanda. “I love your sweater. Where’d you get it? At Misty’s? I heard she’s got a whole new fall lineup, but I haven’t had the time to stop in and see it for myself.”
Amanda had worn jeans and a wide-necked peach silk sweater. The neckline rode the edge of her shoulders, which Mick said made it luxurious and sexy.
“Thank you. I’ve never been to Misty’s. I’m from New York City, and I picked this up at Filene’s Basement.” She held her arm out. “Feel how soft it is. It was a steal at seventy percent off.”
The woman touched it and smiled. “Mm. Isn’t that just delicious?” She smiled at Mick, who was peering intently at a display of necklaces. “Bet he thinks so, too.”
Mick shifted devilishly dark eyes to Amanda. “She is very delicious.”
She felt her cheeks heat up and busied herself by perusing the earrings. She was trying really hard not to read too much into the things he said and did, but how was she supposed to not read into that?
“Y’all are too cute. I’m Heaven. Heaven Love,” the brunette said.
“I’m Amanda, and this is Mick. That’s a great name, by the way.”
“Thanks to the seventies, our mama gave us all colorful names.” Heaven shrugged. “Are you in town for the festival, or did you come for a lover’s weekend and get lucky?”
Mick reached for her hand, and she knew he was going to say something that would make her blush. She gave him her best don’t you dare look.
His expression turned from mischievous to…adoring?
She needed air. Lots of it. Maybe an oxygen mask or an oxygen chamber. That might do it. She pointed to the community rec center across the grounds. “I’m going to use the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll walk you over,” Mick offered.
“No! I mean, thanks, but it’s okay. I’ll be right back.” She hurried out of the tent, drew in a lungful of air, and made a beeline for the ladies’ room.
Pushing through the doors, she pulled her phone from her pocket and called Ally. Pick up. Pick up.
“So?” Ally answered.
“So, I need your advice. I think I’ve royally messed up.”
“You never royally mess up. You trip. I fall ass over teakettle.”
“Yeah?” Amanda laughed. “Well, guess what? My ass has taken a pounding.” Literally. “Al, can I tell you something without you telling Heath?”
“I’m your sister. You can tell me anything.”
Amanda cringed as she said, “I’m with Mick.”
“As in your boss? He’s your mystery man?”
“Mm-hm. We have an agreement. Just this weekend and we’ll never speak of it again. I thought—I think—I can do it. But I need some help. I’m seeing things that aren’t there. Looks. Reading more into them, into the things he says. How do you avoid that?” Except maybe they were real. He said he wanted her. For the weekend.
Ugh! She was so confused!
“You don’t sleep with the man you’ve wanted for, oh, I don’t know, three flipping years!”
“I know, I know, I know.” She paced, knowing she was in too deep to ever not see a single thing. But she could try. She had to try. “But I’m way past that. Just tell me how. That’s all I need.”
Bad Boys After Dark: Mick Page 10
