Worth the Risk

by Robin Bielman

  “You know we really shouldn’t be doing this,” she voiced, hoping that if she said the words out loud, some sense would come back to her.

  “We shouldn’t?” He paused, his relaxed shoulders stiffening.

  “I want to…”

  “But?”

  But what? Should she put her feelings on the line? Confide her desire to have him for much longer than one night? Tell him how she’d never gotten over him? How she loathed and loved him?

  God. She still loved him.

  She hoped she meant more to him than just a quick hook-up, but he seemed unbothered by the short time they’d have together—and unaffected by the fact that they were after the same lucrative job opportunity. He’d simply asked her to spend a little more time with him.

  And that’s what she planned to do. If she didn’t, she’d regret it. “But nothing. Forget I said anything.”

  Arriving at her door, Dean reached out his hand to stop her from sliding in the key card. “It’s not nothing. If there’s something on your mind, please tell me. I care more about you than you could possibly know.”

  What did that mean? Had he missed her as much as she’d missed him? Had he been heartbroken when he misinterpreted what he saw between her and her cousin? Emotions she had no business second-guessing assaulted her, and for one long beat she wanted to ask him exactly what he meant.

  Fear held her back. “It’s okay.” She smiled, hoping it reached her eyes without revealing her true feelings.

  “This has been one hell of a day,” he whispered, “and I want to make your night just as memorable.”

  She had no worries he’d do just that. When she thought back, tried to remember happy times, it wasn’t to childhood occasions like birthdays or other family celebrations. It was to her summer with him.

  She pressed her lips to his, deciding to stop thinking so hard, then turned to open the door.

  They tumbled inside, anxious to put an end to the foreplay that had taken place all day. Dean moved swiftly, his hands circling her waist as the front of his body embraced her backside, connecting them like dancers in perfect sync. His lips tickled the nape of her neck, distracting her from finding the light switch. They shuffled to the bed, where he let go, allowing Samantha to fall to the mattress.

  Turning over, she looked up at him and found his hungry eyes darker than she’d ever seen them. This wasn’t their first time, but it was new. When they’d first met, he was young, cocky, charming. Now he was more virile, more potent. And she couldn’t wait to feel his body deep inside hers.

  The setting sun allowed a hint of light to stream in through the uncovered window. The glow cast a halo around Dean’s head and she wondered if Cupid had hid somewhere in the room—because she’d just been struck with a sharp point in her backside.

  “Ouch!”

  Oh, hell. It wasn’t Cupid’s arrow, but the damn umbrella she’d bought yesterday morning, and which now was lying on the hotel bed. She reached behind her and pulled it out.

  “You okay?”

  “Just removing the umbrella that decided to introduce itself to my ass.”

  Dean laughed. “It’s never a dull moment with you.”

  “Yeah, I’m a regular one-woman show.” She flung the umbrella to the side and flashed a look of embarrassment before bringing her head down.

  He lifted her face and peered at her with lighter, more thoughtful eyes. “You’re the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever met.”

  His thumb grazed her bottom lip, sending a rush of warmth from her cheeks, to her chest, to the spot between her legs. His stare ripped away any misgivings she had about herself and the situation. Desire, unconditional, passed between them.

  “Scoot back a little.”

  Samantha did as told, sudden impatience building up. If they didn’t get naked soon, she’d go crazy. An urgency to feel his heated flesh against hers stirred the sweetest sensation she’d ever felt.

  Lifting her leg up, he slid off her shoe and let it drop to the floor. He handled her ankle with delicate pressure, branding it with a light kiss before lowering it. He gave the same attention to the other leg, the shoe dropping with a thud. Then, leaning over her, he undid her pants and pulled them down while dropping kisses along her thighs, her knees, her calves. When he reached her feet, he let the clothing fall, looking uninterested in anything but her body.

  Damn. He’d decided to devour her slowly, just like he had all those times in their tent, when he’d seduced her so carefully she thought she’d burst.

  “While I love the attention you’re giving me, I’m not sure I can handle a slow seduction,” she said.

  “Feeling on edge?”

  “Just a little.” A moan escaped her lips as he danced his fingertips along the top of her foot while lifting her leg back in the air. He moved slowly down, caressing his way to the back of her knee.

  “You’ve got the sexiest pair of legs.”

  Samantha arched her back. They weren’t even near an X-rated body part, but he still had her raw with anticipation, wondering where he’d touch next.

  “Take off your shirt.” She needed to see some skin. Now.

  “I will if you will.”

  Obliging, she maneuvered out of her tank top while Dean quickly pulled off his tee. Since her tank top had built-in support, she wasn’t wearing a bra and sucked in a breath as she exposed herself to him.

  Resting back down, she witnessed his eyes narrow in on hers before they did a slow rake over her body.

  “God, you’re perfect.” His words warmed her, but his bare chest set her on fire.

  Hello, Gladiator.

  His broad shoulders and smooth chest were more defined than the last time she’d had the privilege of viewing them. The planes of his pecs were deeper, his stomach muscles more pronounced. She’d suspected he was buffer than before, given the way his shirt clung to his body, but seeing it for real far outweighed her imagination. She smiled up at him.

  He pushed her back down with a nudge on the shoulder and lifted her leg again. “I’m not going to stop this time.”

  He resumed with kisses at the inside of her ankle, slowly, meticulously working his way up her limb. The feel of his lips and hands on her sent blissful pulses straight to her sex. The closer he got, the more she quivered.

  She took her fingers and traced the outer curves of her breasts, then shifted her shoulders and drew her pointer fingers down her cleavage before returning to the outside slopes. Dean let out a moan at her display and reached for the button and zipper of his pants.

  Dropping a kiss on her foot before lowering it to the bed, he removed the last stitch of his clothing, revealing an erection that brought to mind too many naughty positions to name. “Now, I said I wasn’t going to stop.”

  “Okay,” she said breathlessly.

  His lips hit the inside of her thigh and massaged their way to her heated center. When he brushed his mouth across the satin of her panties, she reached out to cradle the back of his head, twirling her fingers in the soft waves of his hair.

  He continued on up, his mouth giving affection to her stomach, hip bones, and rib cage before finally settling on her breasts. His tongue slinked its way out to circle her left nipple before grabbing it with both lips and firmly sucking and toying with it. While he tasted the one, his hand covered the other, his thumb rolling over the engorged nub. Then he switched, repeating the given pleasure.

  Everything he did felt so right, she didn’t want him to stop. Ever. Images of them making love five years ago flashed in her mind and her anticipation of having him inside her grew impossible to handle. He navigated her body like he knew exactly where to go, but this time he used a more mature, ripened hand.

  Dean lifted his head and for a few moments they were lost in each other’s intense gazes. He lifted his body up higher so that he was nestled in the satin between her legs. When Samantha reached down to stroke his thick, hard shaft, a moan escaped his lips and he dove in for a little mouth-to-mouth.


  While their tongues intertwined, she gently groped him, sliding her hand up and down his length, rolling her thumb over its head until a drop of moisture slipped out. When he deepened the kiss and adjusted his pelvis against her, she lost her concentration. Her hand fell to the mattress.

  With their bodies aligned, she finally felt the smooth, hard planes of his chest on hers and nearly lost her breath. She broke the kiss to catch some air and he grinned at her, always able to have fun in the throes of passion. She couldn’t help but smile back, sheer happiness rivaling the ecstasy her body experienced.

  She still loved this man.

  He didn’t linger long, instead tobogganing down her body until he reached her panties. With a flick of his fingers, he had the satin moving down her legs, his body sliding off the bed in the process. Once they were removed, he flung them like a slingshot into the air, where they landed on the arm of the light fixture hanging from the ceiling.

  And there was that damn irresistible grin again.

  Then, like a panther, he preyed on her. She sucked in her surprise as his palms eased her legs apart, wider, and wider still, so he could access the glistening folds of her sex.

  His breath touched her first, and she almost thrust into his chin. The tip of his tongue grazed over her swollen flesh. She spread her legs farther, arched her back enthusiastically, bit down on her bottom lip.

  Samantha bucked against his mouth. Endless vibrations wove their way through her body. Her legs shook. She couldn’t stifle her moans. Her heart throbbed so forcefully in her chest she thought it might rupture. Holy cow, this was better than she remembered.

  “That feels soooo good.”

  She felt a smile cross his lips while he remained tight against her. Grabbing the back of his head, she ran her fingers through his hair, holding him snugly. The pressure hit just right, and a climax hit her so hard she grabbed the bed sheets to stop from lifting off the mattress.

  Dean backed off slowly, lingering for a moment to kiss her thigh. He reached down to his pants, pulled a condom from the pocket, and sheathed himself.

  He kissed his way up her body until he was positioned right where she wanted him most. He paused for a second, as if wanting to drive her mad with desire. It worked. She wrapped her hands around his waist and pulled.

  The second he slipped inside her, she cried out. He moved slowly, then faster. Controlled, then carefree. She bit her bottom lip to keep herself from crying out further. His thrusts had delectable coils of pleasure bubbling in her womb. She linked her legs around his thighs and met his pelvic ride with her own give and take, creating friction that had her ready to explode again.

  With his hands on the bed on either side of her head, he bent his arms and lowered his mouth to her ear. He nibbled on her lobe, then moved to nudge the corner of her jawbone with his nose. Pressing back up, he whispered sweet nothings before capturing her mouth with his.

  While slow, steady thrusts stroked her, his mouth indulged hers with kisses that set her on fire. She lifted her eyelids and found him watching her.

  He shifted his pelvis upward and pressed against her until she couldn’t hold out any longer. A second wave of climactic bliss swept over her. This time she yelled out his name.

  That was all it took to get him to unravel. Before she was through, he met her at the peak of ecstasy and they tumbled over together.

  …

  Lying with her in his arms, her back and bottom nestled against his front, Dean realized Samantha had raised the stakes. She was far beyond ordinary…far beyond him. He reminded himself they were together for tonight only. He’d be on a plane back to California on Monday with the Route 66 project in his pocket.

  He’d been determined to take his time making love to her, wanting to treasure her, make it feel like the first time all over again. It took every ounce of his resolve not to drive inside her from the get go. Her sinful body had developed new, shapely curves. She’d grown into a sexy-as-hell woman.

  But besides her outer splendor, her inner beauty impressed the hell out of him. He loved how she made him laugh and how she loved to tease. She was smart, outgoing, willing to try new things. He didn’t think she feared anything. Save dropping a drink on her lap or tripping over something.

  A chuckle escaped his lips.

  “What’s so funny?” she murmured. She turned to face him, her satiated eyes settling on his.

  “Nothing.”

  She gave him a closed-mouth smile, accepting his answer without any further inquiry. “Be right back. I need to use the bathroom.”

  As she left the bed and walked away, he couldn’t pull his gaze from the outlines of her naked body. Even in the dim light of the room, she stole his breath.

  Dean sighed and sat up, leaning against the headboard of the bed. He let his eyes drift shut for a couple of minutes before he reached over and flipped on the lamp sitting on the bedside table. When he looked back in the direction of the bathroom, Samantha stood in the doorway, one hand on her hip, the other on the doorframe.

  “So big guy, getting hungry now?”

  His dick twitched and started to rise. Her suggestive stance had all his synapses firing—he wanted round two. “I think I need to have you one more time before I think about food.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “Damn straight.”

  “Well, that’s good, then, because I had the same thing in mind.” She sauntered to the bed and climbed on—literally.

  “God, what you do to me,” Samantha purred. She raked a fingernail down his chest.

  At that moment, Dean was speechless.

  He still loved her.

  But damned if he knew what to do about it.

  Chapter 8

  “You’d better get out here fast or there isn’t going to be anything left.” Dean spoke with his mouth full, then washed down his final chews with a gulp of juice. He’d tried to pace himself, but he was too hungry. A night of wild, passionate sex did that to a guy.

  They’d had room service last night, too. After feasting on each other a couple more times. Those late-night snacks hadn’t been nearly enough, though.

  “I mean it. You’d better hurry,” he called, a little louder this time.

  Ten minutes ago, the small room service table had full orders of French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, bagels with cream cheese, strawberries, orange juice, and coffee. Now smaller portions of each remained.

  Dean leaned back in his chair, willing himself to stop eating. He occupied his hands by running them down his bare stomach, then hooking his fingers around the arms of his seat. Looking in the direction of the window, he smiled. A bright, sunny day awaited them.

  He’d every intention of keeping Samantha within arm’s reach.

  Her scent lingered on his skin. A mix of honeysuckle and gardenia driving him mad with desire this morning. Waiting for her to come out of the bathroom was pure torture. He wanted to jump her bones.

  But he wouldn’t. He’d decided there would be no body contact this morning. He couldn’t think straight when she touched him. Even a simple brush by his arm sent do-me signals spiraling to his brain. He needed to put some distance between them, remind himself this was a weekend affair. Remember he didn’t do attachments.

  Too late, bucko.

  They’d woken up around eleven, Dean having slept more soundly than he could remember. He’d awoken to her head on his chest, her leg draped over him, and the cadence of her heart beating along with his. He could still feel it against his side, and a cascade of peaceful warmth spread through him.

  “I hope you saved me something.”

  She exited the bathroom wearing his T-shirt and a grin. A vision he could get used to. The curves of her body were evident, her long, lean legs painfully appealing. Golden locks fell around her shoulders like she’d simply run her fingers through the tousled strands. But her eyes. Oh, how they did him in. Her eyes sparkled like treasure in a shallow river flow.

  Damn.

  Tak
ing the seat across from him, she studied the buffet left for her.

  “I tried to leave you a little of everything.”

  “Little being the operative word,” she teased, placing a napkin across her lap and picking up a fork.

  “Hey, what can I say? I worked up an appetite. And it’s not like I haven’t been trying to get you out here.”

  She smiled. “It’s the perfect amount. Thank you.”

  Dean watched her eat, mesmerized by the simple act of Sam putting food in her mouth. He hadn’t spent the night with a woman and woken to have breakfast with her since, well…since Samantha.

  The thought knocked around his head for a minute. He’d had plenty of dates over the years, but no one sparked enough interest to warrant his undivided attention. No one interested him more than the work he did, the travel he thrived on, or the projects he devoured with every ounce of energy he had.

  Now, a little over a year into his own company, the Route 66 project on the horizon, he didn’t think life could get any better.

  Could it?

  “So, do you have anything planned for today?” he asked.

  Samantha eyed him while she finished chewing her food. Her jaw kept moving for much longer than necessary to make the eggs ready for swallowing. Was she stalling? Trying to decide if she wanted to spend any more time with him?

  His gut tightened.

  Her captivating lips looked ready to answer when the telephone rang. Holding up a finger, she stood to get it. Dean watched her, his shirt reaching just below the curve of her ass, and he wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to keep his hands-off vow. Reaching for the receiver, she plopped down on the bed, exposing more skin for him to drool over.