Ticket to Temptation

by Lilith Darville

  I cupped my breasts and for the first time enjoyed the heft of their fullness. The hitch in Daniel’s breath was all the incentive I needed. His hot breath traced my nipples, sending frissons of pleasure rippling through me. I replaced my hands with his, throwing my head back as breath became moist warmth exploring each bud in turn. He feasted on my body, not like a man starved for sustenance, but one intent on taking his time to enjoy every mouthful of culinary delight spread before him. I watched him intently as that suspicious part of my brain looked for any sign of distaste and saw nothing but pure bliss. I threw my head back and let the sensations roll through me like waves ebbing from shore on a breezy day.

  The inferno built within me until I couldn’t stand it anymore. I stepped out of Daniel’s grasp and stood panting. He rested his forearms on his thighs and sat with head bowed like a man defeated. I marveled at the smooth planes of his back, the ripple of his muscles. I wanted him more than I’d ever wanted anything in my life.

  Daniel’s head snapped up as I undid the zipper of my jeans, hope emanating from him like the guidance beam from a lighthouse bringing me safely home. One need, one desire overwhelmed me. I wanted to please this man; I needed him to make me his. I wiggled out of my jeans and undies, then lay down. I wiggled around until I’d assembled myself in a way that minimized my flaws and let my limbs go flaccid. Resisting the urge to cover myself, I shut my eyes and waited. Daniel’s solid weight dipped the mattress as he slid beside me. He didn’t touch me, but his heat was a tangible thing. I smiled to myself. My work was done.

  Nothing else happened. I waited. Awkward. Clearly, Daniel had other ideas. I focused on keeping my breathing under control so he wouldn’t think I was a bitch in heat. I opened my eyes and looked up into those incredible crystal blue eyes, now the stormy blue-gray of the sea when the wind picks up speed. His eyes shone with humor, determination, desire, admiration, and the razor edge of control. I knew with absolute certainty he wanted to have me. So why isn’t he doing anything?

  He shook his head. Such a small movement that spoke volumes.

  My mind moaned. Oh God. Daniel’s finger traced the soft underside of my breast before I could form another thought.

  “I’m not convinced.”

  Oh no, I was not going there. Here I was, ready and willing. If this were one of my novels, Daniel would be all over me or even inside me by now. But I’d put myself out there about as far as I was going to until he reciprocated. Better to play it safe.

  “What do you mean?” I did a pretty good job of sounding the innocent.

  Clearly, Daniel didn’t agree. The storm clouds in his eyes darkened just a little. I was fascinated by the way his eyes spoke to me. It’s like they were my barometer. His storm clouds alone let me know the intensity of feelings consuming this man. I caught a quick glimpse of emothions he never showed the world. That and the size of the gun in his pocket. And that gun should be exploding in me in the next few minutes. Time to take the bull by the horns.

  We stared at each other for several long seconds. I cupped my breast and slid the other hand down my belly toward my—

  He grabbed my wrist and pulled my arm above my head, body arched over me. He held me pinioned, hot breath gliding over me like a warm summer rain.

  “So that’s the way you want to play it?”

  I struggled just a little. Yes, Daniel had me firmly fixed in place. Desire ratcheted a couple of degrees higher. A feeling I couldn’t stop to analyze washed over me. Nothing else existed at that moment except for me with this man, giving myself to this man. Hoping he’d give himself to me, if only for a moment. I met his challenge head on. Let’s just see where he’d go with this. I smothered my smile.

  “I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.” I certainly hoped there were a few storm clouds of desire and determination in my sapphire blues.

  “Either you’ve forgotten what I said, or it was of little import to you. Which is it?”

  I couldn’t think of a brilliant repartee, so I conceded that point and parried with another. “And what about the game you’re playing?”

  “I’ll tell you about mine later. Right now, we’re focused on you. Convince me.”

  I lay still, breathing hard. Why was Daniel making me do this? He had to know. But, just maybe…

  “I don’t know how.”

  There, I said it. I admitted what a simpleton I was. Any second he’d run for the hills. But the throbbing, pulsing heat resting along my thigh told another story.

  His grip softened just a little. Not off the hook yet.

  Chapter 20

  Daniel

  I watched her fight the battle between prim head mistress and bewitching siren as she writhed beneath me. I needed the Delilah persona to win. If there was a chance of her being part of my world, she needed to embrace her carnality. But first, she had to recognize it. And she’d just opened the door for me to show her the way.

  “I don't know how,” she’d said.

  I took a moment to quell or at least quiet the beast growing within me. Sure, it would be easy right now to climb on top of her and jump her bones. She was eager, and if the slickness enticing me between her thighs was any indication, she was more than ready. But I wanted more. And I’d seen a glimmer that I could have more with this woman…if she embraced her sexuality.

  I relaxed beside her once again, keeping close without contact. She watched me, curious and discerning.

  “I think that’s a cop-out.” Something profound and raw within me needed her to trust me before I could entrust her with my deepest secret. “But we’ll take this nice and slow. Tell me what you like about your body.”

  Logan squeezed her eyes shut, and her jaw clenched. I continued tracing my hand over her body until she relaxed and opened her eyes.

  “I like my hands, and I have cute feet. I think I have an elegant neck and great hair.” The words came out in such a rush as if she was spitting out something with a very nasty taste. That just wouldn’t do; it wouldn’t do at all.

  “And?”

  “And what? You asked me what I liked, and I told you.” The edge to her voice thrilled me. This was the moment when a witness was most vulnerable, most likely to spill the goods.

  “Okay, then let me be more specific.” I cupped one of her breasts and squeezed gently. “What about your breasts?”

  “They’re too flabby.” Each word came out like drops of acid burning deeper into her psyche.

  I paused a beat. “That’s an absolute lie.

  Silence. Deep breath. “Not according to Greg.”

  I leaned down and suckled one of those deep pink pebbles, rejoicing at her responsiveness as she moaned and arched toward me. Her hand pressed on my back, warm, firm, and imploring. Her breasts and nipples filled with invitation. I dried the moisture with my hot breath as my cock leaped to be inside her. Not yet.

  “Logan, I didn’t ask what Greg thought of your breasts. Let’s try this another way. Describe your breasts without using the word flabby or anything else derogatory.”

  I kept my voice quiet and even, careful not to scare off my skitsy little butterfly. Shades of blue rolled through her eyes as rudiments of trust, of hope, climbed their way over the mountain of self-doubt and insecurity that plagued her. I held my breath but kept my hand moving at a steady rhythm.

  “Huge—”

  “Uh-uh, not acceptable. They’re not even close to huge.”

  “Big—“

  I shook my head. The glimmer of a smile flitted across her mouth.

  “Full?”

  “Is that a question?”

  “No, Mister Prosecutor. They’re round and full.” She stuck the tip of her tongue out at me, and that tiny little gesture made my balls draw up, tight and firm. “Oh, and I have very nice nipples.”

  “Oh, they’re more than nice. They’re divine.” I ran my tongue around the hard pebble on her other breast. “They’re rapturous.”

  Her laugh tinkled with pure deligh
t. “Okay, when you put it that way, I like my breasts.”

  “When I’m done with you, you’re going to love your breasts.” I rested my hand on her stomach. “And here?”

  A small frown creased her brow. Aha, here was the source of the problem, or at least one of them.

  “F—”

  I put my finger over her lips. “If I hear the word I think is about to pop out of your mouth, I’m going to take you over my knee.” I wanted her to see her body the way I saw it—one of the best examples of creation.

  Now she giggled. “Promise?”

  “Be careful what you wish for. Now, you were about to say?”

  “Fantastic example of the Renaissance woman. Why Rubens himself is waiting for me to enter the celestial halls so he can immortalize this body for all time.”

  “Ah, now you’re getting the picture. But Peter Paul Rubens will have to wait his turn. Right now, this voluptuous body is all mine.”

  Blood pounded through my cock as it strained and jerked vying for my attention. It would have been so easy to plunge into her; she was wet, willing, and waiting. I willed it back to quiescence and looked deep into her eyes.

  “What do you want right now?” I traced the side of her cheek; she leaned into my hand. She said nothing for several beats. I held my breath as I waited to see who won the battle—Miss Prim or my wanton siren. She relaxed her legs, and her thighs parted. Still, she said nothing. I traced the muscle on her inside thigh, and I waited.

  When she did speak, her voice was husky, yet sharp and clear. “I was truthful when I said I wanted to please you. Today was not just the best sex of my life, it was the best time in my life. For a few moments, there was nothing else but me and you and what we were doing to each other, for each other, with each other. I know I’m not explaining it very well, but I want more of that.”

  I took her mouth in mine, letting my lips and tongue show her the words I couldn’t say. Thank you for that gift. We kissed until the force of our hunger took away our ability to breathe. We broke apart, gasping. I rested my forehead on hers as our breath calmed.

  “What else?” I wanted it all.

  “You are a greedy bastard, aren’t you?” She playfully pushed against my chest. She’d let her guard down.

  “I know what I want. So, what else?”

  She traced her hand through my chest hair, taking the time to play with each nipple. She chewed on her lower lip like it was her next meal. I stomped down the urge to tell her to get on with it.

  “I want to try more stuff in that room. Not everything, but a lot of it. Not all the time, but—”

  I laughed. “Logan, why don’t we take it a step at a time? But I get the idea that’s not what’s bothering you. What are you stressing about?”

  This was the moment. This was when she’d decide whether she’d trust in what we might become or live the life of the status quo. I held my breath.

  “I’m afraid of what I’ll do, of how far I’ll go if I let go with you.” She whispered into my chest, and I had to strain to hear her.

  “I’m afraid of that day when you’ll look at me with disgust because I’ve gone too far. Of what you’ll think of me if I always want more.”

  I knew I held her heart in my hands. I wanted to laugh with joy, to get up and do a happy dance, either of which I had no doubt would have her withdraw into the hard shell of hers. Instead, I did what she needed me to do, what I needed to do.

  “Now, convince me.”

  I expected her to start with the sweet, long kisses she seemed to crave like a woman seeing her first chocolate bar after a thirty-day cleanse. Instead, she grabbed my hand and guided it toward her glistening pussy. I let it rest there. When she met my gaze, I cocked an eyebrow.

  She sighed in lust and frustration. “Bring Master Daniel out to play and make me come.” She settled back and closed her eyes.

  She lay quiet as I circled her full, plump labia with her juices, giving them the attention every rare flower deserved. She strained, just a little, when my fingers drew close to her clit, teasing and sank back, sighing, as I moved away. With each pass, she strained a little more toward my hand. Finally realizing I wasn’t about to take the bait, she grabbed my hand and pressed it directly over her clit. Good thing she couldn’t see my triumphant smile. She’s mine.

  I tickled and teased, pinched and pulled, teased and tweaked that flaming pearl hidden between her slick folds easing off just before she reached the tipping point. My gaze never left her face, and I drank in the myriad expressions crossing her face until something primal and primitive replaced all emotion and thought.

  I rolled over her clit with two fingers, increasing the pressure and tempo to match her frenzied state. Her crotch reared up to meet my hand, demanding more. Sweat and desire dripped off her as she fought to let go.

  “Come for me, my beauty.”

  She broke beneath me, a strangled scream. I plunged my fingers into her, stroking that sweet spot that unlocked the door to her release.

  Her scream grew to a full roar. “Inside.”

  I poised over her, balls aching for release. “Tell me what you want, Logan.”

  She panted and shook her head from side to side. “I want you inside.”

  It took every ounce of my concentration, but I remained poised. I needed her to release that last piece of resistance. She pulled on my buttocks and looked up at me, eyes desperate. Damn, she was strong. I remained rock hard in every sense of the word. I gave a little shake of my head. She knew what I wanted, what I needed to hear.

  “Fuck me.” As she screamed the words, I let the warmth of her cunt envelop me while I split her wide open.

  She surged to meet the first few thrusts before lying back and holding her thighs spread wide apart, opening herself completely…for me.

  I drove into her, matching her release with my own. With each thrust into her hot wet channel, I gave her a piece of my heart I’d kept hidden, safe from judging eyes. Each time I felt her sex tighten and clench around me, I sped up the pace, groaning with the effort to hold back my orgasm as another of hers burst over me. I lost count of how many times she screamed my name as nothing else existed but this woman and her body melding with mine as I spiraled toward release.

  Every cell in my body answered her in kind as the explosion ripped through me. When I started to slow, she grabbed the cheeks of my ass and thrust, prolonging the shock waves tearing through me. Until I screamed, “Enough,” and collapsed on top of her.

  We lay, slack with exhaustion. Logan’s cunt clenched as I slowly pulled my softening dick out of her, and I marveled at her responsiveness. There could be no doubt she’d come multiple times and gave me that hidden part of herself.

  Breathing slowed, and sweat dried. A murmur of discontent rumbled in her chest as I rolled off her. “Shush, babe. I don’t want to crush you.”

  “I hardly think that’s possible.”

  I pulled the light quilt over us and tucked her into the crook of my arm. I’d almost drifted off when I heard her quiet murmur.

  “I’m falling in like with you, Daniel.”

  “I’ve already fallen in like with you.” I love you.

  I opened my eyes to find Logan waving a mug under my nose. “Wakey, wakey, sleeping beauty. Time to rise and shine.”

  I groaned, stretched, and took a swig of the coffee. “What time is it?”

  “Ten o’clock. It’s practically dark out. Come on, breakfast is ready.” She hopped off the bed and threw open the curtains. “It’s a beautiful day. Come on.” She was out of the room before I could say another word.

  I slipped into my jeans and followed her into the kitchen. A feast that would have made a crown prince’s mouth water greeted me: Bacon, eggs Benedict, sausage, quiche, cheeses, toast, fresh-cut fruit, and cereal. Aromatic steam drifted from a pot of coffee, and I helped myself to a cup. I squelched down my automatic refusal to eat this early in the morning and tucked in. I was definitely not a morning person. The hollandais
e sauce woke every hunger neuron in my body.

  “This is delicious, but where did all this stuff come from?” I waved my fork in the general direction of the fruit and toast.

  “Raphael’s back, and he bought groceries. He’s had my car towed and everything. He says they’re still clearing up debris, but we should be good to get to Judy’s.” Logan was practically hopping with excitement.

  My heart sank. I wasn’t ready to let her go yet. “I promised Raphael I’d stay here for a couple of weeks.”

  “He finished his business early, so you’re good to go with me.”

  “Where is he anyway?”

  “He’s checking the property for damage. He says not to worry if he isn’t back by the time we’re ready to go.”

  Something about my mood must have telegraphed through to her because she stilled and her face fell. She sat opposite me looking every inch like a weaponless gladiator about to enter an arena full of warriors. “Unless you don’t want to, of course. I completely understand if you’d prefer to stay here. Don’t—”

  I put my hand over hers. “Of course I want to come with you. It’s just that it’s so perfect here. I thought we’d have a few more days.”

  She perked up again. “Me too, but cell service is back, and I have a ton of texts from Judy. That bastard Greg is threatening her, and I need to set him straight.” Now my little gladiator looked like she had an arsenal of weaponry.

  I laughed. “Much as I’d love to see that, don’t you think you’d better let the lawyers look after Greg? They’re better equipped to handle what he’ll try to throw at you.”

  She came around the table and threw her arms around my shoulders. “I thank you for caring, but this is something I’ve got to do by myself.”

  I sighed. “All right, but only if you agree to come stay with me at my loft.”

  “I don’t know. I don’t really like New York.”