Temptation

by Kris Bryant

  Brook tugged at my clothes, ripping her gloves off with her mouth. When her warm fingers slipped inside my coat and under my sweater, I gasped. Not because her hands were cold, but because she was finally touching me, and it was everything I’d dreamed it would be.

  “Once we get past the trees here, we should be able—Oh. I’m so sorry. We didn’t know anyone was up here.”

  Four people broke the tree line and stared down at us. I pulled back as Brook untangled herself from my clothes.

  “No worries,” I said. Once I was free, I stood and helped Brook up. I brushed the snow off her back.

  They stared at us. We stared back. Three more people showed up. Of all the fucking luck.

  “What’s going on?” I asked as normally as I could, even though my heart was racing, I was throbbing all over, and the only thing I could feel was Brook’s warm hand in mine.

  A dude from the second group spoke up. “There’s a window of fourteen minutes where we should be able to see the aurora borealis from up here.”

  “That explains the interruption,” I said.

  We were both breathing hard. I smiled at her, and she started laughing. Soon both of us were laughing, and our audience smiled at us. It was an awkward situation, but the second somebody saw the lights, we all focused on the night sky. We watched as a small ribbon of green light whipped low across the dark horizon. It wasn’t spectacular, but I was already humming with energy, and everything overwhelmed me. I pulled Brook closer and smiled when her hand snaked under my coat to rest against my hip. She didn’t say anything, only stood there and held me. Those were the longest fourteen minutes of my life. As incredible as the aurora borealis was to see, the timing was shitty. Not that a pile of snow was the best place to have sex, but had this astronomy bunch not showed up, I would have at least tasted her skin and touched her in places I’d only dreamed of.

  “This is beautiful.” Brook whispered it as though she didn’t want to ruin the moment for the people who’d climbed the hill just to see it.

  “Everything about this right here, right now is beautiful.” I stared at her until she looked away smiling. Maybe I did have game after all.

  When the ribbon faded, we all left. I didn’t want to stay there, since our intimate moment was ruined and I was starting to get cold. I had no idea what would happen. Were we going to pick back up somewhere else, like the cabin? Get another place? Or just let this attraction fizzle for a few weeks and try it again?

  “Let’s go back to the cabin,” Brook said.

  I sighed. That meant fizzle. No way would she want to have sex at the cabin where her entire family was staying. Granted, it was large enough, but I wasn’t exactly quiet, and I doubted Brook was either.

  “Okay. I need to warm up anyway.”

  “I was the one in the snow,” she said.

  I laughed. “Um, yeah. Sorry about that. I kind of got carried away.”

  She squeezed my fingers. “I am so not complaining. About anything.”

  We walked into the quiet cabin, and Brook punched in the code to turn the alarm off after a small ding told us it was activated. She set it again and turned to me.

  “I’m going to change and check on Noah. I’ll see you later.”

  I nodded, completely confused. Did that mean later tonight? Tomorrow at breakfast? I didn’t want to push, so I went up to my room and slipped into pajama bottoms and a T-shirt. Not sexy, but I didn’t want Brook to think I’d packed something sexy for her or that I expected anything. I still looked good. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and braided my hair back. A very slight two-tap knock came from the other side of my door. I opened it and found Brook in her pajamas. I pulled her into the room and locked the door.

  “You’re here.”

  She nodded. “Is that okay?”

  I walked her backward until she was pressed flat against the wall. “Definitely.” I captured her mouth in a searing kiss. She moaned.

  “Shhh. We have to be quiet,” I whispered. I ran my fingertips gently down her cheek, down her neck, and traced the vee in her silky top. Her nipples were hard against the soft fabric. As much as I wanted to dive into her, I needed to take it slow. “Nobody can hear us, or we’ll never hear the end of it.”

  “Okay, but you’ll just have to remind me. I’m horrible at being quiet.”

  I moaned at that confession and kissed her hard. She tasted warm and minty. Her hand slipped under my T-shirt, and I shuddered.

  “Did I tickle you?” She pulled her hand back.

  “No. Your touch just feels good.”

  We kissed again, finding a rhythm that ramped up our passion. Her breasts felt full against mine, her thighs strong. As much as I wanted to take her to the bed, it seemed so far away, and I was tired of waiting. I slid my hand under the band of her silk pajama bottoms and waited for her to adjust to my touch. This was uncharted territory for us, and as much as I wanted to drop to my knees and taste her, I knew I had to take my time.

  She put her hand over mine and moved it to the junction of her thighs, which was smooth and slick. I moaned into her kiss when I felt how swollen and wet she was. I stroked her up and down. When I felt her hand join mine, I lifted her hand out of her pants and laced my fingers with hers. Then I pressed her hand against the wall.

  “We have all night,” I said.

  “But I need you. Now.”

  I kissed her harder and slipped my hand back inside her pants, but kept her other hand trapped in mine above her head. She tugged her pants down to her knees with her free hand. I smiled at her eagerness and determination. When my fingers slipped inside her, her legs shook, and both of us moaned at the intimacy. She was so tight and smooth and gripped my fingers greedily, wanting more than I could give her at this angle.

  “Please, Cassie.”

  “Please, Cassie, what?” I wasn’t trying to control the situation. I didn’t know what she wanted me to do.

  “Please, Cassie, take me to the bed and fuck me.”

  I fumbled at her command but slowed my movements. I wanted to stay inside her, to always feel this closeness. Before I slipped completely out, I fucked her hard for about ten seconds. She cried out. I released her hand and clamped my fingers over her mouth.

  “We have to be quiet. If we wake everybody up, we can’t do this.”

  She was breathing hard but nodded. With any other woman, I would have congratulated myself, but with Brook I wanted nothing more than to please her. I was thankful only a tiny light was on in my room, or else she would have seen my desire on my face.

  She pulled me to the bed and nestled my hips between her legs. I pushed her silk top off and gently ran my hand over her breasts. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever touched. I leaned over and kissed her softly. I wasn’t in a rush. We had at least a few hours just to ourselves, and I planned to take every minute. Who knew what tomorrow would be like or if this was a one-night thing? I hoped it wasn’t, but realistically it might have to be. I blocked that possibility from my mind and focused all my attention on Brook.

  “You are so beautiful. So soft and so willing.”

  She stared at me while I touched her. I wasn’t shaking, but my hand wasn’t as steady as I wanted it to be. I stroked her gently, getting to know her body inch by inch. I held her breast and flicked my tongue over her nipple. She pulled my hair and held my mouth in place.

  “Harder.”

  I sucked her into my mouth while I massaged her other breast. She gasped as quietly as she could. She arched her back. No way could we do this slowly. Our chemistry was almost more than I could handle. I moved up and kissed her, spreading her legs with my own, feeling how wet she was. The need to be naked against her overwhelmed me. I sat up and removed my T-shirt while she helped me out of my pajama bottoms. I pulled the covers back and we slipped between the sheets.

  “Are you cold?” she asked.

  Embarrassed that I was shaking now that we both were naked, I lied. “Yes, but I’ll warm up soon enough.”<
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  Brook pulled me into her arms and rubbed her hands on my back. I kissed her shoulder, her collarbone, her neck, and captured her mouth with mine. Her hands were all over me, touching, rubbing, pressing into me whenever I gasped with pleasure. She pushed my hips up so I was on my knees between her legs. I put my hands on her thighs and spread her farther apart. Her mouth opened, and the closer my thumbs inched toward her core, the more rapidly her chest rose.

  “Are you just going to tease me?”

  I ran my fingers along her slit. “I think you know I’m capable of more.” I don’t know where my confidence came from, but I wasn’t going to stop. I liked the way her eyes roamed appreciatively over me.

  “I promise to be quiet,” she said.

  I could deny her as long as I could deny myself, which was about two seconds. I entered her, and her hands reached out to me. She bit her bottom lip, but true to her word, she kept quiet.

  “Yes,” she said. I pulled all the way out. “No.” I smiled and entered her again. She lifted her hips to meet each thrust and moaned softly. “Faster.”

  I half expected her to give me a single nod when I leaned over her and answered her needs. For a brief second I thought I’d hurt her as I felt her nails dig into my arms, but when I slowed, she shook her head.

  “Don’t stop. This feels incredible.” She spoke through short breaths. Her legs quivered. She was close.

  I leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Come for me, Brook.”

  Maybe it was because I said her name or the fact that I was in charge at this moment, but she bucked beneath me and came hard and fast. I didn’t stop fucking her until her hand stilled mine.

  “Oh, my God. I can’t. I need a moment.”

  I kissed her deeply and scooted so I was beside her with our legs entwined. She glistened with a light sheen of sweat, and her chest rose and fell as her breathing evened out. I couldn’t stop touching her though. She closed her eyes as my finger fluttered over her pale skin, smiling when I touched places she liked.

  “You are so very beautiful. I’ve wanted to touch you forever.”

  She reached up and stroked my face. “How am I going to be around you now and not blush or want to reach out to you?”

  I grabbed her fingers and brought them to my lips. “You never blush.”

  She laughed and covered her mouth at her outburst. “I’m pale. I can’t get away with anything.”

  “You have a valid point. And very nice coloring right now.” I looked at the flush on her chest and her cheeks. “Too bad it’s so dark in here. I’d like to see you better.”

  She kissed me. It started off sweetly enough, but within seconds, our passion ignited. In a surprising move, she flipped me over and trapped my hands over my head.

  “Don’t move. At all,” she said. When I reached out for her, she stopped me. “Nah, ah, ah. You don’t listen very well.”

  “You’re not the boss of me.”

  I wasn’t sure why I said that or how she would take it, but she raised an eyebrow at me and leaned over. Her lips hovered just above mine. “Am I not?”

  She never gave me a chance to answer. The second her lips touched mine, I couldn’t think of anything but Brook on top of me. She ran her mouth down my neck, nipping and sucking all the way until she landed between my legs. I desperately wanted to wrap my fingers in her hair, but I kept my hands where she told me to. She held my hips as her tongue touched my slit softly. Her warm breath alone was almost enough to put me over the edge. I clenched down and silently begged her to lick me, taste me. It had been a long time, but tonight wasn’t just about sex. Tonight was about change.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I always thought I was in charge when it came to sex. My previous partners pretty much lay back and enjoyed the ride. I had some surprises and a girlfriend who liked to be on top, but I was still the driving force in my sexuality. Brook let me take charge for about ten minutes. The next two hours were life-changing. Not only did Brook know exactly how to build me up almost to my breaking point, but she also showed me how to enjoy the climb. Sex wasn’t a race; it was a marathon with her.

  I was writhing in need and wanted release. Her wet mouth lavished my clit, while her fingers stroked inside, tapping my G-spot. I wanted to scream in frustration. I wanted her to fuck me hard, but I wanted this euphoric feeling to last. I was hanging on to a ledge, knowing if I fell, this perfect feeling would give me relief, then disappear. I hated and loved it at the same time.

  “I need to come.” I licked my lips and opened my eyes for the first time in forever.

  “So soon?” Brook asked.

  My short laugh sounded painful. “But I don’t want to. I’ve never felt this—” I stopped talking when she moved her fingers faster. I barely grabbed the pillow in time to cover my face as I yelled out my orgasm. I dug my heels into the mattress and lifted my hips to grind into Brook’s body. I needed to feel her everywhere. I grabbed for her. I felt her smile against my neck as I gulped in air as quietly as I could.

  “I’m almost certain everyone heard you,” she said.

  I turned to her, tilting her back so I could look into her eyes. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

  She leaned forward and kissed me swiftly. “I guess we’ll find out in a few hours.”

  The clock read 1:26. Brook had come to my room a little after ten. Time flew when we were having sex.

  “I can’t believe it’s so late.” I dropped my head onto my pillow and pulled her close again. “It’s amazing how you make time fly by.” I dropped a kiss on her forehead and rested my head on hers. “What do we do now?” I held my breath, afraid of her answer.

  “If we plan to function like normal people tomorrow, we should probably sleep.”

  “You need only four hours of sleep per night, right?” I asked.

  “Four or five. It’s hard to get more because I’m usually working until about ten, and then I have to work out before Noah wakes up.”

  “Why do you work so late?”

  She slipped her hand under the sheet and rubbed her hand over my breasts and my stomach. “I put Noah to bed, and then I have to check my emails and sometimes make calls. Remember, we work all around the world, so a lot of stuff happens after normal business hours.”

  “You work too hard. You need to take time for yourself.”

  She shrugged. “I’m used to it. Besides, closing deals and watching the company grow knowing my hard work is paying off is such a high. I’m certain Noah will always be taken care of. He’ll be able to do anything he wants to, whether it’s company-related or not. If he wants to be a teacher or an artist, he can.”

  “I love that you have such a good relationship with him. He’s so sweet, and you’re so adorable with him. And he’s so smart. I can’t wait to see how he turns out.”

  “He really loves you already. Hell, he’s probably closer to you than to Gwen.”

  “Gwen acts like she’s allergic to him,” I said.

  “Gwen acts like she’s allergic to everyone.”

  “Truer words have never been spoken.”

  “I’m sorry she’s not a nicer person. She’s always felt separated from us.”

  “At least you and Erica seem close. I really like her. She’s a lot of fun.”

  Brook laughed. “You can’t even imagine the trouble she’s gotten me into.” She turned on her side to face me. “It’s getting late. I should probably go before I fall asleep here.”

  “You can’t leave. It’s not even two.” I pulled her hand to my lips. “Stay for just a few more minutes.”

  She pressed her fingertips to my lips. “It’s getting late.”

  I pouted. “But I don’t want this night to end.”

  She placed the gentlest of kisses on my lips, then pulled back but didn’t say anything. Maybe this was it. Maybe tonight was all we had. I reached out for her and kissed her the way I’ve always wanted to—passionately and completely. If this was my one night with Brook, then I was going
to do what had been on my mind since I saw her on the soccer field. I touched every inch of her, peppering her pale skin with kisses. She was the most responsive woman I’d ever been with. She wasn’t afraid of her body, wasn’t embarrassed to tell me what she liked. I ran my tongue up and down her warm slit and moaned at how wonderful she tasted.

  “That’s perfect.” Her voice was low and breathy.

  I wanted to take my time with her, but we were against the clock. I held her hips down, giving her the friction she wanted, and continued my seduction. She pressed her fingers against the back of my head and moved her hips until she found a rhythm that brought her to climax within minutes. I wanted to spend the rest of the night between her legs, but she had to leave. I kissed the inside of both quivering thighs and crawled up her body until we were face-to-face again.

  “I hate that I have to go,” she whispered against my cheek.

  “I know.” I kissed her softly and untangled myself from her arms.

  “Get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.” She slipped out of bed and found her clothes. I loved that she didn’t try to hide her nakedness from me. “I need to go. Quit looking so adorable and warm.” She slipped her top on and bounced on the bed next to me. “Good night. I’ll try to keep the kids quiet in the morning.” Brook delivered a quick kiss and tiptoed out of the room.

  The warmth disappeared as soon as she closed the door. I fell back with disappointment. The night was a whirlwind, and I was swept away by a blonde who had jumped from my dreams into my arms.

  * * *

  The cabin was empty when I finally woke up at eight thirty. I took a quick shower to get me going, but I still needed to caffeinate. I put on snow pants and a thick wool sweater and headed up to the main lodge. Much to my surprise, Brook and Noah were on their way back down to our cabin.

  “Cassie, when are we going snowboarding?”