She sat and tugged on my shirt to join her. I kicked off my shoes as I said, “I ran your background check last night.”
She took off her own shoes as she asked, “You did? What did you learn?”
I sat beside her as my heart beat faster. I wanted her, but I needed to hear this one explanation. So I patted her knee as I asked, “That your sisters have all married well. You said you preferred directness, so let me ask you plainly, were you raised to be a gold digger?”
Her chuckle broke through my jumpy skin while I waited for her answer. “No. My parents worked hard. My mom ran some shelters. My dad was an accountant. While we didn’t have much, we always had family. I grew up with my sisters, but plenty of cousins moved in with us when they were having a hard time. What I learned as a girl is that if you have family, you have people who love and support you unconditionally.”
I don’t remember anyone ever talking to me about family before having sex. Or much talking at all. I tugged my shirt off and tossed it on the floor as I said, “But my brother and I are very different, and while he has the same parents, we’d never be friends if we weren’t family.”
She gazed at the abs I spent hours in the gym perfecting—working out helped me think—as she said, “That’s too bad.”
I pointed to my lap and Little Charlie to indicate she needed to join me and said, “Come here, Stephanie.”
Her mouth curved into a sexy smile. “What are you thinking, Charlie?”
The fire that erupted from a simple touch meant she’d likely ignite an inferno between us.
But she paid attention as she climbed on my lap when I said, “It’s time for us to enjoy a few uninterrupted hours.”
She curled her arms around my neck and said, “That’s your line for getting me in a romantic mood?”
I cocked my head to the side and stared at her lips. “Did it work?”
She shook her head and said, “No. You’ll have to try harder.”
“Oh, I always win a dare,” I said, and cupped her ass.
Saucy was sexy when it came to Stephanie, and this time when our lips crashed together, she was mine, and I was ready for whatever she was willing to give.
Chapter 7
Stephanie
Charlie’s mouth on mine was all it took. I wanted him in a way that was primal, and I was not about to deny him. By the time our lips parted, the air between was scorching.
I ached for more. He caressed my back like he possessed me already and his hard cock under my thighs only amped up how ready I was for him.
My friends and family had been telling me I’d find another man, one who was more worthy of me. I’d brushed them off, and Charlie wasn’t the forever type.
I knew that, but when he helped pull up my T-shirt, I let him. The feeling of being his made my blood stir.
His lips met mine, and we made out like teenagers reveling in the thrill of the new.
He lay back on the bed and tugged me down with him while he traced my body with his fingertips.
My heart was in my throat, but his seductive tongue explored my body, and I responded with a burst of energy.
He continued to caress me until my jeans felt too tight and restraining. So I sat up and unbuttoned them as I said, “Just be gentle with me once we’re done.”
He slid off his own pants as he asked, “Done? You don’t want gentle now?”
“Fuck, no,” I said, and tossed my jeans on the floor. Guess it didn’t matter what he thought of me, because he’d soon fly out of my world just as quickly as he appeared.
His pants joined mine and he traced my thighs with his fingertips while he licked his lips.
The air was thick with anticipation. I needed him—now—so I leaned against him, and he took the hint. He massaged my shoulders. Every cell in my body ached for more. I scooted closer and he nibbled my ear.
Damn. His kisses made me feel desired, and that sexy, muscular body next to me set off fireworks. I threw my head to the side as he tasted my neck and shoulder using his tongue and lips.
Those little kisses of his were like an electric storm. I sucked on my own lips as he suckled on my body.
My bra was tight and needed to go. I reached behind me to open it, and he went back to kissing my lips as I released my breasts. As I tossed the bra away, I said, “Charlie, I want this. I want you.”
He whispered, almost like he spoke to himself and not me, “I found a true treasure.”
My skin tingled as I wondered if he meant I was a treasure. I didn’t ask, and his mouth and tongue tangled with mine until I forgot all thoughts, fears, or anything else that swirled in my brain. Responding to his deep kisses sent tingles to every limb in my body.
Fuck! His muscles were hard, and his cock was making itself known despite our underwear.
But as he kissed me, he held me like I was precious to him.
I was breathing hard now, and even let out a moan.
No man had ever stirred my soul like this, and when he reached down and lowered my panties, I reached out, grabbed his sexy butt, and did the same. I needed to set his dick free so we could be one for the night.
Tomorrow would reveal itself when the time came.
His kisses left me aching with need, until I was ready to go up in flames. Everything from my nipples to my core was alive and sending little signals that only Charlie could satisfy.
He lowered himself and suckled on one of my nipples, and the storm along my nerve endings and skin escalated when one of his fingers flicked the breast his mouth didn’t feast on.
Seriously, I had never experienced this kind of pleasure, sensations that made my heart pound like this, and that sent the little shots of desire right to my core.
When he switched to the other breast, the nipple he released was standing at attention as I curled my fingers in his hair.
Charlie knew how to charm me. Clearly. My legs were wide and ready for his cock. I let out a small chuckle. Charlie created sensations I hardly knew existed, like when he swirled his tongue around my hardened nipples.
I rewarded the way he tended to those needs with a small groan.
But I needed to do more than revel in his sexy magic. Time for me to help. I reached for his flagpole-hard cock to find it eager to impale me. I gently nudged him closer while every inch of my body was ready to implode.
As he came closer, I wrapped my legs around his waist and urged him to join me.
He let my nipple go and reached over to grab a condom out of a drawer.
He unwrapped it and slid it on, then slid inside me like I belonged to him.
Maybe in another life, I did. Damn. He filled me, and my eyes rolled back like I’d been waiting my entire life for this feeling. I arched my back and gripped him harder.
Then he rocked in and out while his fingers tended to my clit like he knew my buttons by heart.
Fuck me. I was spinning out of control. I clutched his head with both hands so I could gaze into those deep blue pools of his eyes while he pushed deep.
I needed to remember him and this moment forever.
The first wave of ecstasy approached.
That sexy smile of his as he gazed back at me made the muscles in my feet spasm, but he tucked his hands under my ass and lifted it slightly. As he did, he slid deeper.
My body was an earthquake and I kissed him. Then I gasped when his cock hit my g-spot.
I’m filled entirely and I’m his. I rode him and met his rhythm. My head went back as the crash of that orgasm ripped through me.
I clenched him inside and squeezed so he’d join me in ecstasy, but he kissed my forehead and thrust some more.
I hadn’t expected this. I was in heaven and couldn’t see because I was in over my head as explosions of feelings lit up inside me.
He was still hard, though, when he drilled my pussy some more.
Just when I returned to my body, another orgasm built.
My legs were like pillows with pulsating warmness and hard to keep stable
when he tensed. Then his speed increased, and his balls bashed against me.
I screamed and I died a little death when I catapulted over the edge again while he let out a groan and pumped until he had no energy left.
Then he pulled out, holding me tight.
For a moment I couldn’t move or think, just a puddle of emotions and sensations.
Once he shifted his weight off me, he stood. I couldn’t see straight, and blinked to clear my vision, wondering where he went until I heard the sink. He returned with a towel and motioned for me to open my legs. I did, and he cleaned me.
Fuck! It was almost as sexy as what we’d just done. He was firm but gentle while he wiped. I kissed him as he finished, and his return kiss lingered.
He tossed the towel into the bathroom and returned to the bed and cuddled me. No words were necessary.
The passion we just experienced was overwhelming and unbelievable, but for these few minutes, I needed to live in the dream of us being together—forever.
Chapter 8
Charlie
The moon was rising but watching Stephanie sleep beside me was peaceful. Watching the almost perfect mounds of her breasts rise and fall while she breathed was fascinating, and I noticed they weren’t quite perfect because the right nipple was slightly larger than the left. I don’t know if I’d ever noticed such a small detail about a woman before.
She soon let out a small sigh and woke up. Her brown eyes studied me, and I squeezed her hand and tossed the sheets back fast. “Get dressed. We have reservations.”
She yawned as she ran her fingers through her hair and stared at me blankly as she asked, “We do? Where?”
I didn’t care that I was naked when I pulled open the door to the next room where all my things were, and said, “We’re going to Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.”
She stayed in the room but called out, “That place is hard to get into.”
I tugged on a fresh pair of underwear and black pants while I answered, “I booked us the private room so we can talk. Now, dress.”
I cleaned up and sprayed some cologne in the bathroom, then grabbed my shirt. She came in wearing a simple black dress that fit her, though I missed her nakedness. She patted her stomach and said, “Thank you. I’m very, very hungry.”
I finished dressing and said, “I worked you out pretty good, so we both need food, and I gave my staff the night and morning off so we’d be alone.”
Once I had my shoes on, I offered my arm. She took it and we went down the stairs. The night air was cool and a bit damp, like it might rain later. The restaurant was virtually next door, but during our short walk she asked, “How often are you in London?”
“Indefinitely.” I kissed her hand and met her bright gaze. She was so sweet that I winked as I said, “Could be forever if you want to keep me around.”
She cupped my cheek as she said, “I’m sure you’ll—”
A high-pitched, nasally woman’s voice interrupted her. “Stephanie? You just had your things moved?”
Stephanie’s entire face reddened, and she glanced down at her black heels. “Yes, well…Richard, Ann, this is Charlie Grannd, my––”
“Boyfriend.” I put my hand out to shake and stared at the portly fellow in the black jacket that didn’t quite fit him as I said, “You’re that Richard. I should thank you.”
His lips thinned as he shook my hand and asked, “For what, Mr. Grannd?”
I hugged Stephanie and kissed her forehead. “For being stupid enough to let this treasure out of your hands. I’ll forever be grateful.”
The woman with fake red hair crossed her arms.
These two people were dull compared to the glow of Stephanie’s light, but she tugged my arm and said, “Charlie, we should go. Reservations.”
I waved at them and took one last glance as I said, “Right.” Stephanie was better off away from these two. Then I nodded at both of them and said, “Have a good evening.”
I walked in, and the maître d’ directed us to the private room with the sixteenth-century table and chairs once fit for royalty. We slipped into the chairs.
I held her hand up and asked, “Did you really go out with that guy?”
She slipped her hand back and held the menu in front of her. “Yeah.”
I waited till she put the paper down and said, “He must have been fucking boring in bed.”
Her face pinked, but this time, the same way she did in bed earlier, she playfully rubbed her feet up and down my lower leg under the table. “You’re so bad.”
I don’t remember ever playing footsie before, but we both ordered. She picked the powdered duck and I chose the lamb with cucumber.
When the waiter left, I said, “And, you must have been sleeping when he came near you.”
She chuckled and said, “Not everyone has your endurance, and I hear that the duck here is cooked more like the Regency era. I’m so excited to try it, because I’ve never been able to cook the bird right.”
Duck was always too dry for me. I saw how her face glowed and remembered how she caressed my face earlier as I said, “Now that’s cute, and American.”
She played with her necklace. “You bring out the old me, I guess.”
“Was the fake you hoping to be boring, then? Who the devil did Richard remind you of in those books of yours?”
The waiter arrived with our meals and, after I approved the wine, filled our glasses.
Stephanie sucked in her lips and stared at her plate. My lamb smelled better.
Finally, she looked up at me and said, “I thought he was a little bad, but in the end, he wasn’t a Mr. Knightly type like I’d imagined. I suppose he was worse than Willoughby was to Marianne.”
“I’m glad I don’t fit in the books so you can only judge me for me.” I placed my napkin on my lap, the same as she did. “I need to get caught up on these books so I can understand you.”
We both ate a few bites. I saw she pinched her nose like she wasn’t a fan of her dinner, so I slipped some lamb on her plate and grabbed some of the old bird in exchange. She didn’t comment on my smooth move, but instead asked, “And me? If you’re reading Jane Austen for my world, what should I be catching up on so I can learn more about your interests?”
Nice. Good. Hopefully, she would start seeing this as a relationship the way I needed her to.
I finished my bite of the too-dry duck and said, “You won’t find them in a book, Stephanie.”
She bit into the lamb I gave her and let out a small moan of approval. When she finished chewing, she asked, “How will I find out, then?”
“No homework required.” I said quickly, then sipped some wine. “Most of my days are filled with meetings of people who bore me. If you continue to make me think beyond my own dreams of tomorrow, and blow my mind like you did earlier, then I’ll be the happiest man alive.”
After we finished our meals, she said, “I don’t get why you think you’re interested in me when you’re always coming up with ideas like flying cars and spaceships.”
I ordered our desserts to go so we’d beat the rain and enjoy them, hopefully sans clothes, in my dining room. I didn’t share the plan yet, but we sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments with the bill until the to-go bags showed up. As we stood, she took my hand and we headed toward the door.
I slowed as we passed the side view and whispered in her ear, “Your ex is at the bar.”
I clutched her hand and darted toward them, though she asked, “Why are we going over there?”
I gave her hand an extra squeeze and said, “Come now, you must want to cause a little jealousy.”
She shook her head and said, “I—”
“Richard, there you are.” I interrupted whatever excuse for avoidance she’d concocted then hugged her when we arrived at her ex, and said, “Stephanie is being coy with me about her favorite stone, and I want to buy her jewelry she can’t say ‘no’ to. Would either of you know her secret?”
She squeezed my hip ge
ntly, but her eyes were wide open. “Charlie!”
Ann narrowed her gaze at Stephanie. “She has always wanted the topaz cross like Jane Austen’s real-life brother gave her, and which she described in the book Mansfield Park.”
Stephanie’s face turned red, which meant it was true. Every woman I ever met asked for necklaces, earrings, and hinted for a ring one day, so I waved away the suggestion. “That’s nothing. I was thinking diamonds.”
Richard lowered his head and said, “Pearls will look good for her reenactment.”
“Not bad.” I said and saw Stephanie’s head drop down. I hugged her and said, “I’m hoping she can wear them whenever she wants.”
“Let’s go.” She said, tugging on my hand. I waved them off and dashed outside with Stephanie. The air was heavy with moisture, so we sped up to make it home before we got soaked. Halfway in the two-minute walk, rain started, and she said, “You didn’t need to talk about jewelry.”
I took out a key and opened the door for us both as I said, “It’s true, though. I’d like to get you something to remember me by.”
She squeezed my shoulder as she slipped past me and into the house. “Just having you hold my hand is enough.”
I closed the door behind us and locked up for the night. Then I kissed her cheek, and said, “Now we both know that’s a sweet lie.”
I directed her to the dining table, where I set down the to-go desserts bag, then walked past her toward the wine cellar.
She followed me and said, “Charlie, I don’t know about the future, but tonight I hope to find out what it’s like to sleep next to you.”
A zap shot through me, and for one second, I smiled at the brick wall housing my selection. I grabbed a bottle and said, “You actually think there will be much sleeping?”
She put her hand on her hip and tilted her head. “Well...I mean you’re bound to get tired at some point.”
I traced her side the second I approached. “That’s why I took you to dinner...so you can last till morning.”
Scottish Seducer: Opposites Attract: Jane Austin fangirl and the Scottish Billionaire (Steel Series Book 6) Page 5
