Sultry with a Twist

by Macy Beckett

  “Good. Because I won’t stop making love to you till we’re both too weak to move.”

  A breath caught in the back of June’s throat, while heat flushed her cheek beneath Luke’s touch. Maybe she hadn’t heard him correctly. But when Luke scooted across the bench seat until their thighs touched and pulled her mouth to his, she knew he’d meant every word. His kiss was soft and teasing, a quick taste of things to come, sending the heat from her face downward.

  “If that’s not what you want,” he said against her lips, “then tell me now.”

  Fighting every instinct, June pushed against his chest until he backed away. “Wait.” She met his gaze, determined not to let him run hot and cold with her again. “You know what that would mean?”

  “I remember everything you said.”

  “All in?” she asked, half expecting a nurse to wake her for vital signs because this couldn’t be real.

  “I want to try.”

  “Try?” June shook her head. Tempting as it was, she wanted commitment, not a halfhearted attempt with one foot already out the door. She deserved more. “That’s not enough.”

  “I’m no good at this.” Taking her face in his hands, Luke kissed her again and then tipped their foreheads together and pleaded with his eyes. “I don’t know what I’m doing, but I want to try. Please? Let me try.” June’s resolve crumbled beneath the weight of his sincerity. His mouth moved across her jaw to her ear, where his tongue and hot breath mingled and turned her insides to jelly. Then his teeth found the magical spot at the top of her shoulder, and June knew she was helpless. “Just say yes,” he whispered.

  “Yes.”

  “Really?” He pulled away, blinking in surprise. Had he actually believed she’d say no? For one brief second, a wide smile curved his lips, and then those lips were on her mouth. June’s seat belt released, sliding over her breasts, and then Luke tugged her gently across the leather seat until she was pressed to his side. He pulled the middle lap belt loosely over her thighs and clicked it in place. “Then let’s get the hell outta here,” he said. The engine roared, the truck lurched forward, and in seconds, they were tearing down the highway.

  Still convinced this might be a dream, June curled an arm around Luke’s waist and buried her face in the crook of his neck. She breathed in the scents of soap and aftershave and slid her open mouth over his clean, sweet flesh. When he groaned from the back of his throat, the vibration danced across her lips, and she smiled with pride. This man, she thought, while smoothing her palm across the hard contours of his chest, is mine—at least for now—and it’s real. Needing to feel more, she yanked Luke’s T-shirt from the waistband of his jeans.

  “This needs to go,” she said. “I’ll take the wheel.”

  Luke muttered a curse under his breath, but he let her steer the truck while he pulled the shirt off in one fluid motion and tossed it to the floor. For weeks, she’d watched him work bare-chested, and now she could finally touch. Her hands moved greedily everywhere she could reach, and she ached to taste each exposed inch. Starting at Luke’s broad shoulders, she kissed her way down his chest, where she flicked her tongue over his nipple. Using her teeth, she grazed the hard bud before drawing it into her mouth with the lightest suction.

  “Shit,” he hissed, reaching around to stroke her spine.

  His heart thumped beneath her fingers as she moved lower to kiss his flat belly. When she unfastened his jeans and pressed her palm against the length of his erection, he gasped and covered her hand with his own.

  “What’re you doing?” he asked.

  Shaking off his hand, she replied, “Mind your own business and drive.” She reached inside Luke’s boxers and freed him, long and smooth and hard as river rock. Working her thumb over his velvet tip, she spread the bead of moisture there, then stroked the length of him, savoring his groans of pleasure. Lowering further, she used her tongue to lap up each new bead of his arousal, before abruptly plunging him into her mouth. He swore loudly and thrust his hips to meet her. The sweetness of Luke’s hot, tight skin, the noises coming from his throat, the tension in his muscles, all sent June’s blood rushing between her thighs. She needed to feel him there, thick and full…and soon.

  “Stop,” he gasped. “Baby, your throat.”

  Maybe it was a little sore, but she knew how to modify her technique, and she showed him how, using one hand to twist up and down his wet shaft.

  “Christ.” His eager hips contradicted his next words. “Stop, or you’ll kill us both.”

  June didn’t want to quit, but he was probably right. Slowly, and with gentle suction, she pulled her lips to the tip of his erection and released him. If she couldn’t make love to him yet, at least she could be ready the moment Luke parked his truck in the driveway. Her panties soon joined Luke’s boxers on the truck’s floor, and she unhooked her bra and slipped each strap over her arms, before pulling it up through the V-neck of her dress.

  Taking his eyes away from the road a moment, Luke glanced at the pile of discarded underwear and motioned for her to come closer. “Pull up your dress,” he ordered in a husky voice. “And spread those pretty knees.”

  When she obeyed, he licked his thumb and found her aching, sensitive bud, then began stroking her with a light, teasing touch that puckered her nipples and tore a groan from her chest. Using one finger, he circled her pulsing entrance, until she breathed, “More,” and at her command, he slid in and out, pumping her with the same slow, exquisite skill he’d used days ago. He stopped only long enough to tug her knees farther apart, before dipping in again, this time adding a second finger, twisting deep inside to massage erogenous zones she didn’t even know she had.

  With a loud moan, June tipped her head to rest against his shoulder, unconsciously spreading wider for his luscious touch. Again and again, he took her to the brink and withdrew his fingers before she climaxed, the whole time whispering wicked promises in her ear.

  It was sweet torture, withholding her release, as the miles blurred past far too slowly. Leave it to Luke to drive the speed limit, eyes glued to the road, control as rigid as ever. By the time he turned the truck into the driveway, every muscle in her body vibrated like a harp string.

  Pulling his fingers away to lick each one, Luke gave her a lust-filled grin that made her heart stutter. “You always tasted so good.”

  When June launched herself at him and crushed their lips in a frantic kiss, her own salty flavor crossed her tongue. It was more erotic than she ever anticipated. In seconds, Luke cut the engine, opened his door, and gathered her into his arms. God only knows how they made it inside, but June heard the front door slam, and then her body was sandwiched between the cool wall and Luke’s firm body.

  “Longest drive of my life,” he muttered, while tearing at the buttons on her dress. He only managed half of them before sliding the fabric gently down her shoulders, so her arms were pinned at her sides. If not for her wound, she suspected Luke would’ve been rougher—and the notion of him ripping her clothes off made her head spin.

  Glancing from her eyes to her bare breasts, he shook his head in awe. “You’re perfect. Just like I remember.” He massaged each one with his calloused palms and then bent to draw her nipple deep into his mouth. June felt each tug of suction right between her legs, growing into a hot ache. Needing contact, needing friction, she strained her hips against his and moaned Luke’s name. During the entire ride home, he’d tormented her with his fingers, and now, his tongue flicked and circled her nipple to tease again. The dull throb was unbearable.

  “Please,” she whispered, wriggling her arms free, careful to avoid snagging her bandage, and then pushing her dress to the floor. “Now.”

  “Not here.” Luke backed up and took a second to appreciate her naked body while he shed his boots and jeans. “I’ll have you in a real bed for once.” After peeling off his boxers, he closed the distance between them, scooped her into his arms like a bride, and carried her up the stairs into the master bedroom. Dark woo
d furnishings and floral décor passed in June’s periphery, but she barely noticed. Her mind shut to all coherent thought outside of Luke’s touch.

  June wanted to take her time, to slow everything down and savor each sensation, but the second her back hit the comforter, she tugged Luke onto her body and wrapped her legs around him like a vise. “Please. Now,” she repeated.

  “Just one second.” Luke reached into the nightstand drawer and pulled out a condom, and June released him only long enough for him to roll it on. Then she brought him down against her once again, delighting in his weight, in the feel of his heavy, solid body pressing her deep into the mattress.

  Luke brushed her hair back and gazed at her beneath heavy lids. He whispered her name and hesitated to say something more. Then he buried his face in the curve of her neck and brought both hands down to grasp her hips, fitting his thumbs to the indents there. “God, I love these dimples,” he murmured. “You were made for my hands.”

  When he settled against her and eased inside, June’s eyes rolled back with pleasure. He toyed with her a moment, stoking her desire, teasing her swollen entrance with shallow strokes and pinning her to the bed when she tried bucking her hips to impale herself. Releasing her, he leaned on one elbow, whispering, “Look at me.”

  She locked eyes with Luke, and at once he rewarded her, pulling back and then driving in to the hilt with one powerful thrust that filled her to bursting and knocked them both against the headboard.

  A sharp gasp of ecstasy tore June’s lungs, the dull ache at her temple barely registering above the bliss. As she brought her knees up to take him impossibly deeper, Luke pulled back, withdrawing so slowly she felt every ridge and bulge along his hot, distended shaft. His fingers brushed her scalp, eyes searching her face with concern as she writhed beneath him, silently pleading for more.

  “Are you okay?”

  She trailed her hands down to his backside and took one firm cheek in each hand. “Don’t stop.” Tugging at his steely buttocks, she rocked forward, guiding him inside once again. He seemed to anticipate her every need, plunging deep and slow, before switching to hard, quick thrusts when her body demanded it. Her hands flitted along his lower back, cupping his muscles as they bunched and flexed with each pump of his hips. The rush of pleasure, the mounting pressure, told her she wouldn’t last much longer.

  After a sensual kiss, Luke extended his arms and pushed away from her body, holding himself above her so she could watch each long, glistening stroke, but she pulled at his shoulders, needing to feel his weight. She wanted to be crushed, surrounded, engulfed by his warmth, his scent. “Stay here,” she whispered in a shuttering breath, wrapping arms and legs tightly around him. Stay here forever.

  Luke lifted her just long enough to wrap one arm around her back, drawing them even nearer, before covering her with his body. Once again, he knew exactly what she needed, and when he ground against her in a circular motion, June swore loudly and arched her neck off the pillow. The tempo increased as they moved in perfect harmony, sharing the same heaving breaths, both soaring higher and higher toward the peak. With the next slamming thrust, June’s inner walls clenched in erotic spasms, and she cried out, feeling him twitch inside her as they both pulsed in hot release. The waves of pleasure continued to crash inside her, one coming and then another and another, until Luke drove himself deep and stiffened, holding there and muffling a cry against her shoulder.

  His closeness, all the pleasure he’d given her, caused a swell of emotion to surge up, and June couldn’t stop the words leaping off her tongue. “I love you, Luke.” Remembering how those words had caused him to bolt once, she wanted to hold them inside, but she couldn’t stop. “I love you. I love you.” She fisted his long hair, holding on for life. “God, I love you so much.”

  “Shhh,” he whispered, brushing her cheek with his thumb. He silenced her with a soft kiss, but I love you continued to move on her lips. He didn’t pull away, didn’t flinch. Instead, Luke caressed her face and alternated between gentle kisses and intimate gazes, maybe—hopefully—showing her what he couldn’t say.

  After a few minutes, June drifted back to reality, once again able to control her tongue. But pressing her lips together to restrain the words didn’t make them any less true. She loved Luke Gallagher more than ever. If there’d once been a part of her soul she’d held aside for herself, he possessed it now. She was helpless, vulnerable, but the warmth and safety of his arms staved off the cold shiver of fear inside her belly.

  “God, Junebug.” Luke’s heartbeat began to slow—she felt it against her breast—but he gripped her thigh and rocked against her, and the beats picked up speed. “It’s not enough. I don’t think it’ll ever be enough.” His tongue found her nipple, and she felt him grow thick and hard inside her again. “More?” he asked, with a lazy rotation of hips.

  “Yes,” June whispered, matching each slow stroke. She’d give him more. She’d give him everything.

  Chapter 20

  A sliver of moonlight escaped a gap between the curtains and cast a soft glow over June’s curls, picking up a mahogany hue Luke never saw during the day. He propped on one elbow and watched a strand of hair ebb and flow across her lips with each faint snore and exhale of breath. Smiling, he gently pushed it to the side. Shit like that would tickle him awake. She slept like a child, facedown with her mouth wide open, arms tucked beneath her chest. And she sure as hell deserved the rest. True to his word, he’d made love to her until they were both too weak to go on. So what was keeping him up now?

  Adrenaline, maybe. Like a kid who gets a sugar buzz from eating a gallon of ice cream in one sitting, he’d gorged himself all day long. How did a guy come down from something like that? God, he wanted her again, right that second—had to restrain himself from waking her with hot kisses on the back of her neck. He felt like a horny teenager with testosterone oozing from every pore. Like that mythical box he’d learned about in school—Pandorama or whatever—he’d opened it, and nothing would ever be the same again. Especially since he’d broken down and allowed himself to feel June without the protective barrier of latex.

  Even though she’d insisted they didn’t need one, Luke had used a condom each time, until they’d ended up in the shower. June had soaped him up real good, one place in particular, then rinsed him off and dropped to her knees to clamp those full, pouty lips around him. Steadying himself against the tile wall, he’d let her take him almost to the brink, and then stopped her. Something in him had shifted, no longer wanting the extra layer between them. I don’t want to come in your mouth, he’d said and pulled her to standing. I want to come here—and dipped a finger inside—so you’ll feel me later against your thighs and remember everything I’m about to do to you.

  Then he’d settled her facing the bathroom mirror, propped her heel on the countertop, and entered her from behind, so she could watch every hot, wet stroke. He’d touched her where they joined, and she’d peaked again and again and again around his shaft. No sensation in the world had ever felt so good. As he gave, she took, burning a hole in the mirror with her gaze and repeating I love you like it was the only thing she knew how to say. It stripped him of all barriers, left him raw inside. And when she collapsed with the pleasure, he’d carried her like a rag doll back to bed and gathered her body against his, until they both fell asleep tangled in each other’s limbs.

  There was no coming back from that. Nothing else—no other woman—would ever measure up. This realization didn’t exactly thrill him, but it was true all the same, and watching her sleep made his tense, knotted abdomen quiver. How could he let her go in a few days? Thinking about it made panic swell into his throat. Compulsively, he wrapped an arm around her waist and touched their foreheads together. Her hair smelled of his shampoo, her body of his sweat, and it brought a smile to his lips. For now, she belonged to him. Luke reminded himself of that fact and drifted back to sleep.

  ***

  “Oh, sugar!” June’s shrill voice knocked him i
nto consciousness, and he bolted upright, glancing around the room for trouble. Finding none, he squinted against the sunlight and turned to her.

  “What?”

  “I’ve been here all night! What’ll I tell Grammy?” A pink flush stained her cheeks, and the hair on one side of her head bunched above her temple like a bird’s nest. She clutched the sheet over her breasts, as if he hadn’t seen every inch of her body already.

  “Well,” Luke said, moving in to nuzzle her shoulder and noticing the mark he’d left there last night, “you sure don’t want to tell her what I did to you in the kitchen with the molasses.”

  “This is serious.” She palmed his chest and pushed him back.

  Sure it was. A twenty-seven-year-old woman having sex—oh, the horror. Luke tried not to laugh. “Tell you what. I’ll call Pru and tell her I was too tired to drive you home last night. It’s not a total lie. I just won’t mention all the ways you tuckered me out.” Hopefully, Pru wouldn’t ask about the sleeping arrangements.

  “Okay, I guess that—” June sat up straighter, her cheeks darkening from pink to scarlet. Taking her wrist in his hand, Luke felt her pulse quicken and raised one brow as a silent question. “You’re um,” she said, darkening from scarlet to maroon, “getting what you wanted.”

  He pulled her palm to his lips, unable to deny he had everything he wanted.

  June cleared her throat. “I mean, last night in the shower. When you said I’d feel you later on the skin between my”—cleared her throat again—“and remember what you did to me.”

  Male pride coursed through Luke’s veins and sent a smile in motion across his lips. “Happy memory?”

  “Very.”

  Pulling the sheet away, Luke leaned in and swept kisses along the top of her shoulder. “We should make some more.” He trailed a hand over her breast, tightening her nipple to a bud, and continued lower, all the way down. “Memories.” But when he eased a finger inside, June gasped and flinched back.