The Lover's Surrender (No Exceptions)

by J. C. Reed

  “I’m not always—” The words died in my throat as I glanced up at him.

  Holy cow.

  Had he just taken off his shirt?

  I had no idea whether to be amazed by his ability to remove a piece of clothing that fast, or by the fact that he was so sexy it literally impaired my breathing.

  “That’s kind of cheating,” I murmured under my breath. “Trying to seduce me like that.”

  “Or maybe I’m just looking for your opinion. You know, fishing for compliments.”

  As if he needed my opinion. Or compliments.

  Rows and rows of hard muscles adorned his body. And his shoulders, oh my god, they were broad and tanned, inviting me to dig my fingernails into them as we rode the waves of passion. I sucked in my breath as he closed the little distance between us, trapping me between his strong arms again.

  “Now, what do you think?” he asked, his voice deep and sexy. “Is my workout any good, or what?”

  “Nice try,” I said, my gaze fixed on his sculpted chest. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I tried to push aside the dirty thoughts infiltrating my mind.

  The picture of trailing my fingers down his pronounced abs; him naked in all his glory, looking too delicious to pass on; him lifting me up until I could wrap my thighs around him, and him plunging deep into me, filling me the way only he knew how.

  My stomach knotted deliciously as heat pooled between my legs.

  “You should look into hiring a trainer who monitors your training,” I added.

  His mouth twitched faintly. “And would that happen to be you?”

  Damn, my surprise remark just went flying out the window.

  “What? No!” I smirked as a blush covered my cheeks. “No, of course not. It’s not like I know how to use thumbells and all that.”

  “I think what you mean are dumbbells.” He laughed at my confused expression. “A thumbell is a tiny dumbbell to train your thumbs.” He made a flexing motion with his digit before he shrugged casually.

  “That’s a thing?” I asked.

  “Yeah, as odd as it may sound. I hear they use it to train for increased speed when text messaging.” He grinned. “But to be honest, I think there are better ways to train your thumb and much…much better ways to use it.” My pulse sped up at his insinuation.

  I laughed. “I don’t think so.”

  “Well, then let me show you.”

  He towered over me—close enough for me to touch him, and yet not as close as I wanted him. His gaze pierced through me as he interlaced his fingers with mine and then lifted them to his mouth. My body tensed when his lips brushed over my knuckles, the motion sending an electric shiver through me.

  “Look Brooke,” he whispered. “There’s no cure for confidence. And there’s no cure for want. It’s perfectly normal for you to want me. And it’s perfectly fine for me to be a jerk about it, so I would say let’s get used to this weird combo and admit you’re wet.”

  “Oh.” I rolled my eyes, even though I knew I couldn’t hide how much he turned me on. “At the speed you’re going, your confidence will soon grow to the moon and back.”

  “Is that so?” Still watching me, he kissed the tip of my thumb. His lips were soft as he started to place kisses on my skin—soft at first, then growing firmer—like the pressure inside me.

  Holy cow.

  If a few innocent kisses could do that to me, what would happen once he really turned on the heat?

  I stood still, afraid that if I moved I would surrender. It didn’t help though.

  He leaned forward to whisper in my ear. “It’s not my intention to make you wet. I don’t have the kind of power to create a chemical reaction. I don’t even know why your body responds the way it does, but it’s safe to say that you’re into me. There are a hell of a lot of things I can do to help you envision what I have in store for you. But I’ll keep quiet and surprise you.”

  “No, forget the moon,” I managed to whisper. “It’s way too close to Earth. Take the farthest planet in our solar system. That’s how big your ego is.”

  “Ouch.”

  In one swift motion, he heaved me up. Before I could figure out what he was doing, he carried me over to his red Ferrari and settled me on the hood.

  “What are you doing?” I asked needlessly. Excitement coursed through me when his hand moved up my legs, pushing my thighs apart.

  Deep down I knew what he wanted, what he intended to do, because somehow he must have sensed my longing, and now he was going to take care of my needs.

  “What does it look like?” He cocked a sexy eyebrow at me as he lifted one of my legs. “Whenever I want something, there is no stopping me. I like the feeling of doing whatever I want with you, because you’re mine. Mine to hold. Mine to tease. I own you.”

  “You don’t own me,” I protested, feeling the heat spreading across my face, inside my body—thick and hot, coursing through my blood—urging me to confess the effect he had on me.

  He lifted my dress slowly.

  “Soon. Maybe not now, but I definitely will. Call it my calling. I know when it’s time to fill a longing. And right now, I want to fuck you on my car and see how wet I can get you.” He grinned as he brushed a hair strand out of my face. “Miss Stewart, ever since the day I met you, I’ve made it my resolution to make you mine. I want to devour you, to make you want me until you feel that no other man will ever satisfy you. I want you mine with your heart, your soul—with everything you’ve got.”

  “Sounds like a devil’s plan. Where is the contract, so I can sign up?”

  He cocked his head, amusement playing on his lips. “Well, what can I say? You’re right. I’m a jerk who takes what he wants, which is why I’m keeping these as a prize.” Before I could blink, my panties were gone. He held them up in the air—out of my reach. “Just as I thought.”

  I blinked once. Twice.

  “You’re giving them back,” I whispered coarsely when he stuffed the flimsy piece of fabric inside his pocket.

  “Not happening,” he said smugly. “I’m keeping those as proof.”

  “Proof of what?”

  “That it doesn’t take much to get you turned on.”

  “By you,” I added.

  “By me. That’s right, baby.” He patted his pocket. “Now, next time, there’s no need to play hard to get.”

  I laughed. “What do you want?”

  “You know what I need. What we both need,” he said as he scanned me up and down. “It goes both ways. It’s a game as old as mankind. We can do it the hard way, or you can surrender.”

  I ran my tongue over my lips.

  There wasn’t much sense in lying. Jett was already holding the proof in his pocket. Judging by my desire, I was ready to have him right there and then.

  It didn’t help that I could smell his manly scent.

  Or that he seemed available to the idea.

  “All right. You can keep them but under one condition,” I said.

  His eyebrows rose ever so slightly. “I’m listening.”

  I took a deep breath. “You’ll give me something in return.”

  He seemed to consider his options for a moment, and then he nodded. “That sounds like a fair deal.” He stepped back and unbuttoned his jeans slowly. “You’re lucky I’m in a generous mood.”

  Oh boy!

  I stared at him in surprise. “That’s the first time I didn’t have to ask twice, you know?”

  “What can I say? I’m full of surprises.” He flashed me another wicked grin, enjoying every moment of his glorious victory.

  I peered down at his magnificent erection. He was hard and beautiful, much like a scepter in a king’s hand, and Jett was like a king to me—ruling over my heart and my body. I tried to form a coherent sentence, but all I could think of was him inside me.

  “Are you trying to impress me?” I asked nervously. “Because if you are, you’re kind of succeeding.“

  “Kind of? No, baby, I wouldn’t say I’m trying to i
mpress you. I’d say I’m dying to fuck you.”

  Judging by the naughty glint in his eyes and the serious tone in his voice, I should have seen it coming, but it was still a surprise.

  His finger curled around the fabric of my top, and he pulled it over my head. I shivered as the cold air hit my naked skin. Slowly, he slid a finger under the strap of my bra and pushed it down my arms, exposing my breasts. With a soft moan, he lowered his mouth and sucked on my nipple, his tongue circling and flicking in equal measures.

  My body responded instantly with a fire, welcoming his touch, welcoming him—wanting so much of him that I felt like exploding.

  I shifted, suppressing a shudder, when his other hand started to move down my waist and settled between my legs, resting against my wetness.

  With a sudden eagerness I had grown to love about him, he heaved me up. A shudder of the good kind traveled through me at the thought of him filling me. Whatever his plans were, I had high hopes for them and couldn’t wait for him to get started.

  There was no denying.

  Jett was my weakness.

  This sexy god was my undoing.

  He dipped one finger inside me, sending a pulsing sensation to my core.

  My head began to spin.

  “Wet,” he whispered in my ear before kneeling between my parted thighs.

  “Is this really a good idea?” I whispered, my gaze scanning the empty garage.

  “Since when are you opposed to public sex?” Jett asked, his hot breath tickling my skin. “If it helps, everyone’s been instructed not to come down here before five.”

  His hand moved behind my back, and his tongue slipped into my sex, begging me—no, demanding that I play along. His mouth captured me, his lips firm and yet soft, knowing well what they were doing. My skin tingled. My body trembled. The arousal he had ignited in me returned with full force. Leaning back, I lifted my hips to grant him better access.

  “Oh God, Jett,” I whispered when he pushed in a second finger.

  My words seemed to please him because an instant later his tongue began to flick my clit faster.

  I started to tense.

  “Don’t come.” That was all he whispered, stopping. My mouth was still tingling from his kiss, my breathing came ragged, and my body was on fire, shuddering with delight.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked wearily when he straightened.

  “It just hit me.” He brushed a stray strand of hair out of my eyes. “I’m addicted to you.”

  It was my turn to raise my eyebrows. “Is that your third sorry?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “There’s nothing like the feeling of wanting someone so much you have to possess them. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you weak for me.” The way he emphasized each word made me believe everything he said. I bit my lips as his magnificent erection poked my belly, the motion sending shivers of apprehension through me. As if sensing my need, Jett laughed darkly.

  “Now I’m not going to deny it, woman. This is my favorite part,” he whispered as his erection began to rub against my pulsing entry. And then, with one determined, sensual stroke, he pushed into me.

  My breath hitched as he moved deeper, filling me, stretching me.

  My hips began to move, rising to meet his thrusts, opening myself up to the pleasure only he could give me.

  “Oh, God,” I moaned again as my body began to shake from the sheer pleasure of being filled. I grabbed the edge of the car’s hood, more for support than need. Waves of desire shook me, carrying me to new heights.

  With a fast push, he hit the deepest point…and stopped.

  My eyes fluttered open, my gaze fighting to see through the hazy curtain before me.

  It was then that I realized Jett was going to torture me. He wasn’t going to let me come easily.

  I winced. Casting my gaze to him, I began to plead because pleading was the only tactic that ever worked on him.

  “Jett, please,” I whispered. “Don’t do this.”

  He grinned. “Do what?”

  “Do I have to spell it out?” I swallowed. “You make me want you.”

  “Doesn’t sound bad to me, considering you’re leaning against a very expensive car.”

  Which so happened to be Kenny’s.

  “Don’t stop, leaving me all frustrated.” I sighed again, hating to plead. “Don’t be a jerk. You know what I mean.”

  “I already said sorry for being one.”

  I grimaced. “You can’t say sorry for something you haven’t done yet. If you do, you’re not really sorry for doing it. It’s called being mean.”

  He let out a sexy laugh. “No, I wouldn’t call it mean. Mean is when I do this.” He pulled out of me and stepped back, his full erection glistening with my moisture.

  I stared at him, disappointed and desolate. And so very empty. At the worst of times, I felt overly sensitive.

  Seriously, Stewart! Don’t let him get to you.

  But it was too late.

  I was already too deep in his game.

  “Why did you even bother starting?” I jumped down from the hood and pulled up my skirt to cover my nakedness. “This is the last time I let you fuck me.”

  His hands grabbed mine. With a chuckle, he spun me around until my back was pressed against his hard abs.

  “Because I like you wet and bothered, that’s why,” he whispered, his tongue trailing the contours of my ear.

  “You’re such a jerk. Like a double jerk. You did it on purpose!” I tried to push myself away from him, but he didn’t bulge, his arms pinning me in place.

  “That I am.” He let out a laugh as he lifted my skirt again. My back pressed against him, I shivered at his touch. I glanced at his hand spreading my legs wide open, spreading the moisture, spreading my desire. I moaned, silently begging him for more, cursing at the way he circled my clit with expert strokes.

  Desire started to burn through me again.

  “What can I say?” he whispered. “I just love it when you’re wet. It makes me feel like you need me.”

  I shook my head, my body shivering from demand. He had started a fire he needed to stifle.

  How far would I go to satisfy my own needs?

  Even though my anger was still bubbling inside, I knew I would willingly surrender.

  I always did.

  Slowly, I turned to face him. “Well, I do need you.”

  “Well, I need you, too. Maybe more than I’d ever admit.”

  Before I could utter another word, his lips crashed down on mine. My pulse raced, and my body trembled as he slowly entered me again. I closed my eyes, enjoying him inside me and his skin against mine until I could feel myself letting go, climaxing with an intensity I thought I’d never know again. Before the last rush of release could leave, Jett came inside me.

  Inspecting myself in the mirror in the basement bathroom, I tied up my hair when I heard footsteps behind me. I kept my back turned to him but followed his every move in the reflection of the mirror.

  He was dressed in a pair of blue jeans that sat low on his hips, the fluorescent light accentuating his bare chest and hard muscles. No matter where he was, Jett always managed to look like he was ready to pose for a playgirl magazine.

  “Hey.” He handed me the clean clothes I had left behind when we had sought safety and shelter with Jett’s former gang. “Thought you might want to put this on. Not that I don’t prefer you naked, but it’s getting cold.”

  His beautiful green eyes shimmered mischievously.

  “Thanks.” Under his heated gaze, I slipped into the underwear and jeans. We had been dating for a few months, but he was still making me nervous whenever he looked at me. Now that I was pregnant, I could see the changes happening to my body.

  If they were so obvious to me, they most certainly were to him, too.

  He must have sensed my discomfort, because he stepped behind me and whispered in my ear, wrapping his arms around me, “You’re beautiful. And you smell so good.” His lips touched m
y skin gently. “You always do.”

  “Wait until I reach my second trimester. I’ll be as big as a balloon with stretch marks as large as the Grand Canyon.”

  It was meant to be a joke, if only my tone didn’t sound so earnest.

  “All the more reason to love you. Every scar, every stretch mark will show the journey we’ve covered together and remind me where we have been and how much I’ve loved you along the way. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he whispered and turned me around to face him. “Brooke, I very much look forward to that day.”

  “Quite the gentleman you are. And probably a liar.” I slipped on my shirt and turned back to the mirror. My gaze traveled to my toiletries bag. A cold lump settled inside my stomach as I thought of Gina’s makeup.

  “Anyway, I’ve decided to burn her things,” I said casually as I applied some lipstick. “I don’t think we’d find any fingerprints, so let’s get rid of the bags, like you wanted.”

  “Okay.”

  I met his gaze in the reflection. There was no smile on his lips. No satisfaction in his eyes. “Is that all you’re going to say?” I asked.

  “What do you want me to say?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “How about great? Thanks for going along with my plan.”

  “I already told you I’m fine with whatever you decide.”

  I turned around slowly, eyeing him up and down. His eyes remained pinned on me, but his face had turned expressionless. After our previous argument, I thought he’d be pleased that I was agreeing with him. Heck, I would have bet on it.

  That he didn’t seem to care confused me. His hand was still on my hip as he opened his mouth then closed it again, as if he wanted to say something but decided against it. Eventually, he heaved a sigh, and his shoulders dropped. Leaning against the tiled wall, he seemed tired, as though everything was finally catching up with him.

  I narrowed my eyes, suddenly uncomfortable.

  Jett was known for his secretiveness and unwillingness to talk, but now he looked uncertain, almost as if he was having second thoughts about burning possible evidence.

  “We could still hide it, if you’ve changed your mind,” I said. “Either way, I’d be fine with it. Just let me know what you want.”