“No.” She swallowed.
“Going to brazen it out, Soph?”
“Nothing to brazen out.”
“How about the truth?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She started to walk past him, but he caught her arms, swinging her around easily so that she was backed against the wall, her wide eyes looking up at him.
Catching her wrists in his hands, he pinned them each side of her head. Oh yeah, he loved the look of her pinned against the wall at his mercy. His virginal little Sophie. “Keeping secrets?” he whispered. “Bad girl, Soph. And you know what happens to bad girls, don’t you?” When she simply swallowed, he placed his mouth to her ear. “Remember that titillating talk at the dinner table?”
He felt her quiver, a little tremor that went right through her. Oh yeah, she might talk about spankings like she had them regularly, but she’d never had a hand touch her pristine, curvaceous bottom. Hallelujah!
“So maybe I should demonstrate, Sophie, just so you’ll be able to really experience it, really know what you’re talking about when you write it.” Unable to resist it, he added, “So you won’t be lying.”
She started to panic, he could hear it in her voice, feel it in the way she strained against his hold. “I’m not lying! I don’t know what you-”
“I heard it all, Soph.” He shifted back a little. “The Sex Queen isn’t so experienced. Now I know exactly what you are.”
For a second he thought she was going to deny it, try to lie her way out of it, and he grinned. He’d like to see her try. But she suddenly slumped against the wall, her head dropping forward. When she didn’t reply, didn’t swear at him or threaten to geld him as expected, he frowned, all amusement fleeing. “Soph?”
“Please.” Her voice was thick. “Please, Alan. Please don’t tell anyone.”
Jesus, was she crying? A cold hand swept through him, followed closely by concern. “Soph? Are you crying?”
She shook her head.
“Then look at me.” When she refused, he caught her chin between thumb and forefinger and tilted her head up. The misery in her eyes caught at him. “Soph?”
“Please don’t tell. Please Alan. You’ll ruin me.”
God, did she really think that badly of him? Now he felt lower than a worm’s belly, and that was pretty damned low. “Of course I won’t tell. Shit, Sophie, what kind of bloke do you think I am?”
“I don’t know.” She blinked back a tear, making his gut clench. “My reputation…”
“Most girls don’t want your kind of reputation,” he joked, trying to make her smile. Laugh. Anything but cry.
It didn’t help. Another tear was blinked away. “I’m not pretending to be a slut.”
“Far from it. You’re a virgin.” When her face started to crumple, he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her to him. “Soph, of course I won’t tell. Cripes, I’m not a total arsehole. Now stop crying or Debbie will know something has happened.”
“Something did happen.” Her voice was muffled against his chest. “You found out.”
“And it’s not the end of the world.” Pushing her back a little, he wiped the tear from her cheek with his thumb, tenderness stealing through him as she looked up at him hopelessly. “Now stop crying, Soph. Game face, remember? You still have to face that mob out there. Remember, you’re the Sex Queen.”
Now she blushed.
“At least as far as anyone apart from you and I are concerned. Okay?”
“Alan-”
He shook his head. “We’ll talk later. Right now we have a barbie to go back to otherwise people will start wondering where we are and come looking.” Releasing her, he gave her a little push towards the bathroom. “Dry those tears, chickie. Wash your face, pull yourself together and come on out.” When she cast a distressed look back at him, he said sternly, “Your secret is safe with me, Soph, now do as I tell you.”
He waited only long enough for her to shut the bathroom door behind her before retreating to the kitchen to pick up the can of light beer. The evening had turned out to be very enlightening in more ways than one. Yeah, Sophie was upset, her secret revealed to him, but hell, he couldn’t help but be happy. Very happy. Very smugly satisfied, in fact.
No man had ever touched his Soph in any way. Yeah, that knowledge felt bloody awesome. No lecherous male had pawed at her, seen or tasted her delectable body, undressed her voluptuous curves, or experienced anything even vaguely sexual with her.
Feeling like he could beat his chest and howl at the moon in triumph, he left the house and returned to the table.
Marty cast him a curious glance, his gaze flickering from Alan to the house and back.
Alan just smiled, popped the tab on the can and waited.
Sure enough, Sophie slid into the chair beside him minutes later.
“Are you all right?” Chelsea asked. “Your eyes are a little red.”
“I had a drink of water,” Sophie relied cheerfully. “It went down the wrong way. Just about coughed up a lung.”
“Agh, I hate when that happens.”
Alan slanted a glance at her and she happened to glance at him at the exact same moment. She stiffened slightly, he just smiled amiably and started talking to Frank.
Sam brought the meat to the table and sat down. The bowls of salad and meat were passed up and down the table and everyone was soon eating. Alan was certain no one else noticed how polite Sophie was being to him, but he missed her sharpish tongue and sense of humour. Damn, he had to get them back to that. He liked hearing her laugh, loved surprising her, loved teasing her.
When she was still being polite at dessert time, he turned to her with the full intention of teasing her about something to do with anything but her writing, only to be waylaid by Elsie.
“Oh my, the cream and strawberries on these Pavlovas remind me of a scene from Hot in the Kitchen.” She smacked her lips. “I’ve never been able to look at a can of spray cream the same way.”
Alan knew just how she felt.
Smiling, Sophie lowered her eyelashes over her eyes. How long had it taken her to gain that knowing air? Especially given that she’d never had cream sprayed up her whazoo. Or been eaten out. He could certainly take care of that. Would love to, in fact. Not the cream bit, the only thing he wanted in her whazoo was his finger, tongue and dick. Crude but true.
If she knew what he was thinking she’d slap his lights out. Maybe he’d wait awhile before suggesting it. Would tomorrow be too soon? Jesus, he’d wanted to do more than kiss her since he’d shared that cream-filled smooch with her in the kitchen. Just the memory had his toes curling.
“I’ll say.” Chelsea sighed dreamily. “You know how to make a girl think of different positions, Soph, I’ll give you that. How did you find time to personally research all of that?”
“Yeah, Soph?” Alan couldn’t help but ask.
Immediately she stiffened, but it was swift and she turned to him with a warm smile and cold, warning eyes.
Ooohhh, it was snowing in hell.
Alan smiled widely at her.
“I make time for all my little projects,” she said.
“I’m glad you write those experiences down,” Elsie announced. “I go through a panty per chapter.”
Frank sighed.
“Is that all?” Chelsea asked. “I go through-”
“Chels!” Max groaned.
“Control your wife, please,” Sam begged. “My ears are burning, my brain will go into overload and I’ll stroke out. There are some things brothers just don’t need to know!”
If Sophie thought she was getting away with anything she was wrong, because Elsie looked at her admiringly. “You must get a lot of people asking you for sex advice, Soph.”
“Oh, I-”
“I mean, is there anything you haven’t done?”
Alan grinned. She’d be surprised.
Before Sophie could answer, Debbie spoke mockingly. “Sounds like you’ve done everything but
have sex dangling from the chandelier.”
Dying to hear Sophie’s answer to that, Alan looked at her and caught the little flicker in her eyes, a little flicker that apparently only he noticed.
She glanced briefly at him before lying right out. “There are such things as harnesses, Debbie.”
“Really.” Debbie smirked disbelievingly. “With who? A man?”
Damned if the bitch was going to trip up Sophie. “Yeah,” Alan said, “because she certainly didn’t do it alone.”
Sophie cast him another glance, this one almost panicked. Good grief, was he going to dob her in? Now he knew her secret, he could destroy her. Would he do it? His smile was devilish, his eyes gleaming as they went from her to Debbie and back again.
“Yeah,” Alan repeated with a slow, lazy grin. “I remember that harness.”
It wasn’t only Sophie’s eyes that widened.
“Oh, come on, Soph.” He waggled his fork at her playfully. “Time to confess.”
Oh shit. He was going to dob her in. She felt her palms break out in a sweat.
Debbie looked eagerly from Sophie to Alan and back again. “Confess?”
“Yeah.” Alan took a leisurely bite of Pavlova and chewed. “The harness was fun, but boy, it was pretty mild compared to some of the things we experimented with. Right, Soph?”
Her heart stopped. Then hiccuped. Then resumed beating. “Ah…yes?” She couldn’t help the squeak in her voice. The shock.
“Oh, come on, Soph.” He grinned widely. “Time to stop hiding and come out into the open. We had sex. Often. Hot and heavy. And plenty of it.”
Debbie gaped.
Marty’s mouth fell open.
Sam’s eyes were wide, but the light in them wasn’t amused. “Jesus, Alan! Before she left town? She was a kid!”
Alan rolled his eyes. “I take holidays, remember? Sometimes I actually leave town. Soph and I hooked up a few times.” His grin widened even more as he looked Sophie directly in the eyes.
It was a wicked look, dangerously wicked, and she didn’t know whether to gulp, hide or just stay as she was, frozen on the spot. With her mouth hanging open.
“I don’t believe it,” Debbie murmured.
Neither did Marty, going from his shocked expression.
“Believe it.” Alan took another hearty bite of Pavlova. “This erotic romance writer knows what she’s writing about. Trust me, her experiences and ideas are based in reality.” He waggled his eyebrows. “If you know what I mean.”
Sam looked like he just might murder Alan.
Alan sighed happily. “She is the Sex Queen.”
“Is this true?” Debbie demanded.
“Yeah,” Elsie echoed. “Is it? Did you and Alan hook up?”
Sophie dragged her fascinated gaze from Alan to look at the women.
“Yeah,” Frank added. “Is it?”
What else could she do but add her lie to Alan’s? To deny it now would cast a shadow on her reputation. Most things she could lie lightly about, hell, she’d known that Alan had said he wouldn’t blow her cover, but that he’d suddenly cast himself in the role of her sometimes lover? Ye gods.
More than aware of every speculating eye on her, every breath held in anticipation and, in some cases, a touch of disbelief, what could she do?
Especially with Alan watching her, the challenge in his eyes only visible to her.
Leaning back in her chair, Sophie plucked Alan’s fork from his hand and stabbed it into the untouched sausage still on his plate. One hard stab, the tines going through the meat to ding on the plate. Bringing it to her lips, she licked the end of it nice and slow - which had some of the men gulping - slowly engulfed a small portion of it, bit down suddenly with an audible click of her teeth - which had the same men flinching - and chewed leisurely and with obvious enjoyment before swallowing and licking her lips.
No longer amused, Alan’s eyes were hot. Oh God, were they hot. His gaze followed every movement of her tongue and lips.
Picking up the napkin, she delicately patted her mouth before picking up her glass of Diet Coke and smiling around at them all. “Yes, it’s true.”
Turning to look directly at Alan, she met his challenge with one raised eyebrow.
Smiling right back at her, he picked up his glass of beer and held it loosely in long fingers as he touched his lips to the brim. “Yeah.” His voice was husky. “And we’ve hooked up this time as well.”
What the hell…? It took all Sophie’s control not to gape at him. “Have we?”
“Oh, sugar.” He practically purred. “You do like to tease.” His eyes smouldered. “As we both know.”
The sexual innuendo was plain. Well, two could play at this game.
Lowering her lashes, she peered sultrily at him. “I hope you have some surprises for me, Constable Cooper. And the stamina. It’s been awhile.”
He didn’t miss a beat. “Trust me, sugar, you’ll melt in my hands.”
“I hope so.” She took a sip of Diet Coke before placing the can on the table with steady hands. Looking him directly in the eye, she smiled widely. “I’ve learned a few things since last time.”
His smile was all teeth, a gleaming flash of white. “So have I.”
Of course, he would have the last word.
“Oh my.” Elsie broke the silence. “Is it hot out here or is it just me?”
“Not as hot as it’s going to get tonight,” Alan said, his gaze still on Sophie.
“Okay…” Frank cleared his throat.
Sam looked from Sophie to Alan, pushing his glasses back up his nose. “Ah - er - anyone for more drinks?”
“Shit yes.” Frank waggled his glass in the air. “Make sure it’s cold. Very cold.”
Elsie giggled and leaned into him. “Or maybe we should keep the flames burning?”
Frank stared down at her. “Huh?”
She batted her eyelashes at him.
He grinned slowly. “Oh. Yeah.” He lowered the glass. “I’ll wait awhile.”
“Good grief,” Sam muttered.
“You can say that again.” Marty’s expression was resigned as he looked at Alan. Obviously he wasn’t surprised to hear of another of Alan’s sexual escapades.
Alan held Sophie’s gaze. “It’s a good something but certainly not grief.”
Sophie’s eyes narrowed. Seemed he could brag and lie all at once, how clever.
Leaning forward suddenly, Alan kissed her lightly on the lips, drawing back just as quick to pick up her empty can and stand. “I’ll get you another drink, sugar.”
“Thanks, sweetie,” she replied through clenched teeth. She was going to murder him. Once everyone was gone, she was going to pound his pinhead into the ground.
“What was that, honey?” All solicitous and caring, he leaned down.
Slipping an arm around his neck, she smiled sweetly up at him, bringing him down so she could whisper in his ear.
To anyone watching it looked like a lover’s embrace, the closeness of two people who knew each other intimately. But Sophie made sure Alan knew she meant business by grabbing a tiny bit of his hair between her fingertips and pulling on it painfully while whispering lovingly, “I don’t know what the hell you’re playing at, Alan, but you are dead.” She released his hair.
His eyes twinkled down at her. “Why sure, sweetie, we’ll go to bed as soon as this is all over.” Straightening, he laughed. “You’ll embarrass me, telling everyone how much you want my body.”
“Oh trust me, I can wait.” Picking up her spoon, Sophie calmly took a bite of Pavlova. Game face, game face! “It’s a novelty, actually, you’re normally so…fast.”
“Whoa!” Marty laughed. “Them’s fighting words, Alan.”
“Boy, you have to prove yourself tonight!” Frank slapped Alan on the back.
Sophie glanced over her shoulder. “Oh, not tonight, honey. Sam’s home.”
“Don’t worry, sugar, we can go out for a drive. Panel van, remember?”
“
I’m a guest in Sam’s house, that’d be just plain rude.”
“No, sweetie, rude is doing it next door to him. You’re noisy.”
“Jesus.” Sam covered his eyes. “Someone save me.”
She was going to murder Alan slowly.
Grinning, he walked off to get her another drink. Right now she felt more like a hefty shot of whiskey than a Diet Coke, it was a shame she didn’t like the taste of alcohol.
The rest of the night passed jovially. Alan remained by her side, every bit the caring lover while maintaining his teasing, happy persona. Sophie managed to laugh with him and resisted the urge to stab him with the fork. He was so dead.
It was late when everyone finally left, Alan talking to Marty at the back of his car while Belle waited in the passenger seat. It looked pretty intense. Sophie didn’t care. Glad to have some time to herself, she drew a deep breath and stared up at the half moon in the sky.
What the hell had happened tonight? How had everything gotten so out of hand? How had Alan gotten so out of hand? Though it shouldn’t have surprised her. Good grief, she knew he’d been a bit of a devil in his younger days and it seemed like that devil still resided inside him as an adult, only now that devilish streak was more mature, more hot, more sexual. She’d experienced that already.
Whoo boy. She fanned herself with an unused paper plate. Anyway, it didn’t matter, he was just playing a part, nothing else, it wasn’t serious.
Why that particular thought should make her feel morose, she wasn’t sure.
Wait, no, she was sure. He’d been so attentative, so much like a caring lover, something she’d never experienced before and…and she was attracted to him. Really attracted. She couldn’t lie to herself. But no amount of wishful thinking would change Alan. He was playing a role, saving her reputation, wasn’t that ironic? It was a twisted kind of reputation, keeping it as a sexually experienced woman whereas in the old days it’d be important to keep the reputation as a virginal spinster.
Sighing, she picked up the garbage bags and started to carry them around to the garbage bin on the other side of the house.
“Here.” Sam appeared beside her, plucking the bags from her hands. “I can do that.”
The Virgin Sex Queen Page 13
