by Coleen Kwan
But he denied her the screaming orgasm she wanted so badly and rose to his feet, his face flushed, his lips wet from her moisture. He leisurely fondled her breast. “My hot little cowgirl.”
“Joe, I swear…” She could barely speak.
He smiled, cocky, but damn, how she wanted him.
“Wait.”
He turned to rummage in the drawer of his nightstand, leaving her to bite her lip as she stared at his taut backside. The urge to hurl herself at him rose, but, as much as she hated admitting it, she was hooked on his domineering lovemaking.
When he turned back, he had a condom on and a burning look in his eyes. He sat on the edge of the bed. “Come here,” he ordered.
She moved toward him, lungs aching with anticipation. When she was within arm’s length, he grasped her waist and pushed his knees between hers until she stood above him, her legs straddled over his thighs. She met his searing gaze, and when his hands pressed her down, she knew what he wanted. What she wanted so desperately.
As she bent her knees, the tip of his erection found her entrance. Burning hot and hard, it teased her, parting her slick folds. He paused, holding her still. She was ready to collapse, her leg muscles quivering, but he held her up, his biceps bulging from the strain. He eased an inch into her, his heat and strength arousing her further. Bending her head back, she let out a growl of pure animal need and tried to push herself down on him. But Joe prevented her, still controlling her descent. As he let her down one solid inch at a time, his thickness stretched her, filled her, melted her. After several breathless seconds, he settled her on his lap, sheathed in her flesh to the hilt, breathing hard as he smiled at her.
“You feel so good.” He took her mouth in one bruising kiss after another until her head was swimming. She moved against him, hands on his shoulders, arching her back as she sought the sweet friction between them. As she’d come to expect, he took over, using his impressive strength to shift her up and down while he thrust himself slowly and evenly into her.
Tension built in her to fever pitch. She tossed her head, wild for release, seeking the button to unleash the pressure. When Joe took her nipple between his lips, she almost bucked right off him, but his hands held her firm. His teeth riffled against her nipple, his thrust pushed her higher, and suddenly she was an explosion of wet, molten flesh, and stars were falling around her, and someone was moaning out, “Oh, God. Oh, Joe,” over and over again.
Joe’s grunts filtered through the hot mist. She was vaguely aware of his hands digging into her hips and his mouth nipping her shoulder as he drove hard into her. It could have hurt, but it didn’t, her wetness assisting his fierce pounding. He gripped her tight, his body tensed as he growled and spasmed deep inside her for several fiery moments, before his body gradually grew slack.
Sighing deeply, he wiped his forearm across his sweaty brow. “Sweet pea, that was the most incredible ride.”
She gulped, shaky and throbbing. “You can say that again,” she whispered.
He was still buried deep inside her, and she didn’t want to let him go. For a while he scattered kisses over her face and neck again, this time his mouth soft, gentle, reassuring. When he finally lifted her off his lap, the night air nipped at her, raising goose bumps on her bottom. Joe got rid of the condom, pulled off her boots, and held up the quilt covering the bed. “Come here, sweet pea.”
She slipped gratefully under the covers, Joe quickly joining her. The sheets were cool, but Joe pulled her into his arms, his warmth surrounding her. She turned to him, surprised and a little dismayed at how eagerly she sought him out. Was it simply because Joe had given her the best sex of her life? Or was there something more to it?
Joe didn’t seem to be troubled by such worries. He kissed her hair and wrapped his arms around her. “Just a heads-up. I’m going to let you rest for a little while, but in about ten minutes I have another activity planned for us.”
Anticipation stirred in her loins. She shifted her legs against his. “What kind of activity?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Can’t you give me a clue?”
His lips curled into a lazy, teasing smile. “All I’ll tell you is that I’m going to make you say ‘Oh, God’ and ‘Oh, Joe’ again. Several times. Maybe if I make the right moves, I’ll even get you to scream it out. Sound good to you?”
Nina nodded, her hunger already returning. Whatever Joe did to her would be good, as long as she remembered that this was just sex. Great, awesome sex, yes, but that was all it was. It didn’t—couldn’t—change anything between them.
…
Joe peered down at Nina’s prone form. She looked deeply asleep, which was no wonder, considering the epic sex they’d enjoyed through the night. But dawn was touching the bedroom curtains, and he had to rouse her.
Gently he shook her awake. “Hey, sleepyhead. It’s time to get up.”
“Wha…?” She yawned, blonde hair sexily tousled, lips still swollen from all that kissing.
His cock stirred. If only he could strip again and join her in the bed for an early morning quickie… But that was asking for even more trouble.
Nina blinked several times before her blue eyes cleared and focused on him already dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. “Where’re you going?”
“I’m taking you back to the inn before anyone else gets there.” He paused before sinking on the bed next to her. “Nina, last night was incredible, but…”
Her mouth turned down. “But you don’t want a repeat?”
“Of course I want a repeat,” he answered quickly, even as the logical part of his brain told him that was a dumb idea. Even dumber than last night. But his body was completely enthralled with her. “I want you in my bed as often as possible, but it has to stay between us. I can’t have the rest of the staff finding out. Not because I’m ashamed to be with you, but—”
“I understand.” She squeezed his hand briefly. “This is just a bit of fun between you and me, right? Nothing serious. We don’t need the whole town sticking their noses into our private business.”
He breathed out a sigh of relief. Nina understood his dilemma, and she wasn’t fussed about keeping this a secret. It wasn’t how he usually conducted his brief affairs, but then again he’d never had an affair with an employee. Again, his logical brain sent out a warning, but he ignored it. Nina was in his bloodstream, and for however long this crazy fever lasted, he was her captive.
…
Nina yawned as she scraped and rinsed plates. The bustle in the kitchen was dying down after the dinner rush, but she still had plenty of clearing up to do. It didn’t help that she’d barely caught a few hours’ sleep last night. She closed her eyes, and for a moment she was transported back to the heady sweetness of being with Joe. All day the memories of him had teased her. Tonight he’d gone to his usual soccer practice, which was just as well. She didn’t need him distracting her again in front of staff and customers.
“Glad you’ve got time to daydream.” Sarah’s bark sounded just inches from her ear.
Nina jerked, and the plate she’d been holding slipped and crashed to the floor. “Oh, crap!”
Sarah’s lips thinned as others paused to see the cause of the commotion. “Well, that’s one way of doing the dishes. I’ll tell Joe to dock your pay again. What’s that, like your fourth since you started?”
“Only my third.” Nina grabbed a brush and pan and began cleaning up the broken plate. “And I don’t mind Joe docking my pay.”
“I thought you were desperate for a job.” Sarah continued to stand over her, and when Nina straightened, the head chef’s face was filled with suspicion. “I already know you lied about working in a coffee shop. And now you’re acting like you don’t even care about the money you’re losing. So why are you really here in Hartley?”
Nina tossed the ceramic shards into the garbage bin, making as much clatter as she could. She’d been too quick to shrug off her docked pay. She should’ve acted more concerned.
“I’m here to make a fresh start,” she said as calmly as possible.
“Yeah?” Sarah didn’t seem convinced.
Nina was saved from having to say more by Mrs. Stewart appearing in the kitchen. She and her friend had dined at the restaurant earlier, and when Nina served them, Mrs. Stewart had made some coy remarks about Joe. Now, as the smiling woman advanced on them, Nina prayed she wouldn’t say anything embarrassing in front of Sarah.
“That chicken was delicious!” Mrs. Stewart beamed at Sarah. “You must keep that on the menu permanently.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Stewart.” The head chef grinned. If there was one thing that softened her up, it was compliments on her cooking. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“No, thank you. I really came back here to talk to Nina.”
Sarah’s frown returned. “Sure,” she replied, but instead of leaving, she stood right there, looking suspicious.
“How can I help you?” Nina asked Mrs. Stewart, hoping she wouldn’t mention Joe again.
“It’s about the Food and Wine Festival. You know about it, right?”
Nina nodded. She’d seen all the posters around town and knew Joe was on the organizing committee.
“The thrift store will have a stall at the festival,” Mrs. Stewart continued. “We’re accepting all kinds of donations to sell. My niece usually helps me, but she’s broken her leg, poor thing, so I was hoping you’d volunteer.”
The festival was in two weeks, and by the end of that weekend, Nina’s three-week vacation from Beaumont, Inc. would be over and she’d have to return to San Francisco. The dreaded reminder, coupled with Mrs. Stewart’s request, threw Nina into confusion. “Oh, um, yeah, well—”
“Of course she’d love to help you,” Sarah broke in with a smirk at Nina. “She wants to make a fresh start in Hartley, and what better way is there than getting involved in our local charity?”
Nina coughed. “Well, sure.” She hesitated a second before nodding firmly. She’d still be here for the festival, anyway. “Yes, I’d love to help you, Mrs. Stewart.”
“Oh, good! I’m so pleased. I’ll talk to you later when you’re not so busy. Good night, dears.” She waved a general good-bye before trotting out of the kitchen, leaving Nina and Sarah alone.
“I’m happy to help Mrs. Stewart.” Nina stuck her chin out. “She’s nice, and she gives people the benefit of the doubt.”
Sarah looked down at her. “Just remember to keep your volunteering to your off hours. You’re paid to work here.”
Nina bit back a quick retort. No point aggravating the head chef.
By the time Nina had finished her kitchen duties, the restaurant was closed, and only a few quiet drinkers were left. Nina looked about the bar expectantly, hoping that Joe had returned from soccer practice, but he was nowhere to be seen, and disappointment pinched her.
“Hey, Nina,” Vince called from behind the counter where he was carefully filling a glass from a beer bottle.
She hitched her butt onto a stool at the counter. Even though her shift had ended, she didn’t want to go to her bare, lonely room. Not when a part of her was still hoping for Joe to return, even though he’d never made any promises.
“What’s that?” she asked, glad for the distraction from Joe. She nodded at the unlabeled bottle from which a rich, golden-brown beer flowed steadily into the glass.
“It’s an IPA from a local microbrewery,” Vince said.
“IPA?”
“India pale ale.” He grinned. “Clearly you’re not into beer.”
“Sorry, no.”
He slid the glass to her. “Try it. You might like it.”
Shrugging, she took a cautious sip and rolled the liquid around her mouth before swallowing. “Hey, that’s not your normal beer. It’s kind of chewy and bitey.”
“Hoppy, you mean.”
“If you say so. It’s really good. Where did you get it from?”
“The shed in my backyard.” Vince retrieved the glass and took a satisfying swallow. “It’s a hobby of mine, brewing beer.”
Nina sat up. “You have a brewery? Do you sell your beer here?”
He shook his head, wiping the back of his hand across his mouth. “Nah. Joe doesn’t know about it.”
“But you’re friends. How does he not know?”
“Well, he knows I brew beer, but he doesn’t know I’ve upgraded my equipment to commercial grade.” A diffident expression came over Vince’s face. “I’ve been meaning to ask him if I can stock some of it here, but, well, he has enough on his plate at the moment, what with his bank problems and those Beaumont shitheads who want his property and…”
Nina’s heart stopped for several seconds as Vince continued to talk. What did he just say? Those Beaumont shitheads? He can’t mean—
“Hey, Joe.” Vince’s words broke through her whirling thoughts, and her heart stuttered to life, suddenly pounding like a runaway freight train.
“Hey, Vince. Hi, Nina.”
Joe stood right behind her. Every nerve ending in her body shrieked out his presence as she turned to face him.
“Hi.” She sounded like a frightened mouse.
She tried to take a breath, but it was difficult with Joe so close to her. He was freshly showered after his soccer game, his body giving off waves of clean masculinity that pulled her in. His warm, expressive gaze traveled over her like he’d missed her, but then, as if becoming aware that Vince was still there, he glanced away, and she was able to breathe.
Joe talked to Vince, but she barely listened as Vince’s words whirred in her mind. Beaumont shitheads. Beaumont. What exactly did he mean by that? Was there some connection between Joe and her dad? Unlikely, she told herself. Beaumont was a common enough surname. And why would a billionaire like her dad be interested in a small place like the Comet Inn? It didn’t make sense. Vince must have meant someone else.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Joe said.
She came to with a start. The bar was emptying, and Vince had begun closing up. She was alone with Joe. He rested one elbow on the counter, and although his stance was casual, the look in his eye was anything but.
She swallowed, deciding to set aside her concerns about what Vince had said. It was much nicer to concentrate on Joe. “Just one penny? Is that all my thoughts are worth?”
He glanced quickly about, then angled his body so that no one but she could see his face. “That depends. If you’re thinking what I’m thinking, then I’d be willing to pay you more.”
She sucked her lower lip, wondering what he was thinking. From last night she knew Joe had some pretty dirty thoughts.
He uttered a groan so soft only she could hear it. “Don’t do that with your lip. Unless you want me sporting wood in public.”
She sputtered with laughter. Only Joe could get her so excited with so little. Before she could respond, Vince came back behind the counter and shot a weird look at her. Afraid he would recognize the lust in her face, she pushed to her feet.
“I’m exhausted. I’m going to bed. Good night, all.” She made a general wave to encompass both Joe and Vince before beating a hasty retreat.
If Joe wanted a repeat of last night, then he’d have to come and get her, she decided as she made her way to her room. Even if she couldn’t stop thinking about him, she didn’t want to appear too eager. Taking a shower didn’t stop her thinking of him, either. In fact, it made it worse. By the time she returned to her room, she was wondering how she’d ever get to sleep.
She let out a shriek as she spotted Joe lying fully clothed on her bed. “Oh, sweet Jesus, you scared me! Why didn’t you warn me?”
He heaved himself up to a sitting position. “Do you always walk around in nothing but a towel after your shower? I’ll have to buy you a bathrobe.”
Excitement shivered through her. She walked up to him until they were almost touching. “Why?” She licked her lips. “Are you planning to surprise me in my room on a regular basis?”
&nbs
p; He reached up and placed his hands on her hips, his fingers anchoring her towel. “That depends.”
“On what?”
“On whether you give me what I want.” His grip on her towel firmed. She swayed and allowed the towel to slip away until it crumpled to the floor. Joe’s hands remained on her hips, his expression almost reverential as he took in her nakedness. “Oh, sweet pea,” he breathed. “You’re perfect.”
She was far from perfect, but Joe’s reaction filled her with a strange, heady sensation. What if she was perfect for him? Heat swept over her, plumping her breasts, making her nipples harden. Joe cupped a hand to her breast, fingers teasing her nipple even harder.
“Yes, perfect.” He stared up at her with hunger stamped across his face.
Her knees buckled as she slid onto his lap, straddling his denim-clad thighs. She speared her fingers through his hair, and then their mouths met and fused with desire. They kissed frantically, his fingers imprinted into her back, she pressing herself into him, desperate for contact.
“Wait,” she panted when she was forced to come up for air. “What about Vince?”
“Damn.” He gave her ass a soft pinch. “I’m sure as hell not sharing you with Vince.”
Ooh, I like that, she thought in surprise. She liked Joe pinching her ass. She let out a mock growl. “I meant is there any chance he might’ve seen you come into my room?”
“No. He’s gone home, and I locked up the inn.” His thumb absently stroked her butt cheek where he’d pinched her. “There’re only two guests upstairs. So it’s just you and me, sweet pea.”
Every time he called her sweet pea it sent a thrill straight to her heart. She brushed her lips teasingly against his. “That’s good. Why didn’t you take off your clothes while you were waiting for me?”
“I didn’t want to be presumptuous.” His eyes glinted as his hand wandered around her ass. He began stroking between her thighs.
