by Lori Foster
Instead of pointing out how much he enjoyed reading, Jude said, “During the day, the windows let in plenty of light, but at night, it can be dark as Hades in here.” He gently squeezed her breast. “But I’m a guy who likes to see what I’m getting into.”
She started to protest when he stroked his thumb over her velvety nipple, and all that came out of her mouth was a small sound, barely heard, not much more than an aroused whimper.
Knowing exactly what that female sound meant, Jude shoved the T-shirt up, intent on replacing his hand with his mouth. Haste rode him again, but around May, he had no choice.
Before he could put plan to action, her hands tangled in his hair, holding him off.
Behind her glasses, her brown eyes looked solemn and too serious. “I’m not a skinny starlet, Jude.”
“Thank God.” Again, he leaned forward. May’s fingers tightened to the point of pain. “Ow.”
“Listen to me.”
“Couldn’t we talk later?” He turned his head to kiss the inside of her elbow, then studied her soft, swollen lips, now damp from his kisses, and the pulse that tripped wildly in her throat. “I have the sexiest broad on the earth in my bed. I’m finally about to get her naked—something I’ve wanted to do from the second I first saw her. She’s ready, I’m anxious, and if I don’t get inside her soon, I’m going to self-combust.”
Her shaky laugh made her breasts shimmer. Such beautiful breasts. Later, he’d take his time with her. For now, he wanted her enough that he hurt.
Using only his fingertips, Jude rolled her nipple and got a heated gasp in return. “Can I please take that as agreement?”
She nodded, removed her glasses, and handed them to him. Jude quickly set them aside, and by the time he turned back to her, she’d already whisked the shirt off over her head.
Sitting up on his haunches astride her thighs, Jude got to look at all of her.
He’d expected May to be shy. Overly modest. But instead, she smiled and stretched, putting her arms above her head and arching her neck, thrusting her breasts toward him. The shorts rode low on her shapely hips, displaying her belly and the tops of her hipbones.
On fire, Jude opened his hand over the sexy rise of her belly. “You are so soft.”
“And you’re so hard.” She made a purring sound, squirming under him. “After seeing you, other men look like boys. You’re so solid in layered muscle, so strong in body and confidence.”
“I’m just me, May.”
She shook her head. “I’m not talking about you the movie star. Or even you the fighter, though I like the fighter a lot.”
He started to question that, until she went on.
“I’m talking about you the man who takes whatever life throws at him and is still so damn successful, and so honorable.” Her voice lowered. “And so sexy.”
Jude smiled. “But?”
“We’ve known each other a while now.”
“True. And it’s made me nuts, wanting you while you kept me a safe distance away.”
Appearing reserved, she stared at his throat and whispered, “From what you’ve said, how you are, you enjoy all things… carnal.”
“I’m a guy.” He kneaded her breast while speaking. “Of course I do.”
“It’s more than that. When I’m near you, I can feel your masculinity, your iron will.” Her legs shifted on the bed. “Your sex appeal. You think women stare at you because of your reputation or your fame or your money. But you’re just so macho, so… powerful.”
Because Jude knew women, he knew that’s what most of them saw. For them, his appeal was his wealth and celebrity, and most didn’t even bother to deny it.
But May confounded him. From the word jump, he’d had a hard time figuring her out.
“Don’t you see, Jude? You could be a poor street cleaner who no one had ever heard of, and you’d still draw female attention everywhere you went.”
He didn’t want her idolizing him. When he fucked up, as all men did on occasion, he wanted her to understand and forgive. If her expectations were too high, he’d never be able to live up to them.
“As long as I have your attention, I don’t care about the rest of it.” Staring down at her body, at the luscious swells and dips and her soft, pale flesh, he couldn’t even remember any other woman. She was his fantasy come to life, an ache in his heart and groin, a need he’d never fully appease. The more time he spent with her, the more time he wanted with her.
“You have it,” she promised. “You’ve had my attention for a very long time.”
“Good.” From May’s breasts to her hips and up again, Jude touched her, teasing them both.
“I hope you like what you see,” May whispered, “because I’m not changing.”
“Trust me, I like you just as you are.” Using both hands, he cupped her substantial breasts. “God, you’re stacked.”
She laughed—but only until he tugged on her nipples.
When she started to lower her arms to reach for him, Jude rasped, “No, leave them up there. I like seeing you like this, all stretched out across my bed.”
“All right.” She pressed her head into the mattress and closed her eyes—but she didn’t move her arms.
“Do you know I get light-headed just looking at you?”
Her hips lifted in a bid to hurry him along. Needing no more encouragement than that, Jude shifted to sit beside her. “Don’t move.”
Untying the drawstring at the waistband of the shorts, he eased them down until he could just see the top of her underwear. He’d often wondered about it, curious as to what type of lingerie she’d choose. But what he found shouldn’t have surprised him. “Pink cotton?”
“Shut up, Jude.”
Even while making him red hot, she amused him. “And little blue flowers?” With one finger, he traced a tiny bud that decorated the waistband of her undies.
“I mean it.”
“These are cute.”
Eyes still closed, arms raised, she said, “I’m warning you.”
He felt his smile in his heart. Hell, he even felt it in his soul, “Yes, ma’am.” Skimming the shorts down her thighs, her calves, and finally, her feet, he admired her silly underwear, how whimsical they seemed on a woman usually hidden in a boxy suit.
And then he removed her panties, too.
———
Amazed, breathless, caught in a whirlwind of desire, May gave herself over to the moment. It helped that without her glasses, she couldn’t really read Jude’s expression. He’d slept with some of the most beautiful women in the world.
If her very average body didn’t satisfy him, she wouldn’t see it.
But the way he touched her, the added heat pouring off him, and the intent way he explored her told her that he had no complaints.
“This isn’t really fair.”
His fingers tickled lazily up the inside of her thigh. “What’s that?”
“You seeing me naked when, without my glasses, even after you do finally get rid of your clothes, I won’t be able to see you that well.”
She felt his pause, then the brief skimming of his fingers through her pubic hair. The bed dipped, he stretched away, and then came down close. “Here you are, ma’am.”
Using great care, he slid the armatures of her glasses onto her ears. May opened her eyes—and the burning need in his stole her breath.
“Better?”
She nodded.
His mouth took hers in a claiming kiss that destroyed all doubts. With her limp and overheated, he sat up, and in one quick movement, pulled his shirt off over his head.
The sight of his body always aroused her. But now… now she’d get to touch him and taste him, too. She started to lower her arms to do just that, but Jude caught her wrists.
“Not yet, honey. I’ve thought about this too many times to rush through it, but I swear, I’m not myself.”
“You look like Jude Jamison to me.”
“No. Normally I’m a decent lover.”
Her mouth quirked. “Meaning I should expect substandard treatment?”
He closed his eyes. “Meaning there’s always been something about you that just pushes all my buttons. Holding back at all is killing me, but I’ll be damned if I’ll fuck this up.”
Judging by his strained expression, his loss of control really nettled him. He looked pained. And almost angry.
Maybe… explosive.
Ignoring his order to stay still, May put both hands on his chest and stroked his burning skin. “It’s all right, Jude.”
On a raw laugh of frustration, he sat back on his heels, his knees spread wide. Breathing hard, he let her pet him, until in a sudden burst, he threw his shirt against the far wall. “It’s not all right.”
“Jude—”
He lowered himself over her again, taking her mouth, his hands everywhere.
Caught up in a whirlwind, May could do little more than cling to him. His tongue thrust into her mouth, exploring, hot and wet. His right hand kneaded her breasts while his left held her head still for ever deeper kisses. The denim of his fly scraped against her belly as he started a slow, methodical rhythm that mimicked lovemaking.
“Jude.”
He covered her mouth again, and slowly, tantalizingly, moved his hand down her waist, over her hip, and then inward… until his fingers delved between her legs.
Overwhelmed by the bombardment on her senses, May opened her legs more and heard Jude’s rumbling growl of approval.
Finally freeing her mouth, he kissed her throat, her shoulder, and then, just as his middle finger gently sank into her, he latched onto her nipple.
The combination of sensual assault melted her modesty. Acutely aware of his finger inside her, his knuckles pressing against her mound, his forearm brushing the tender insides of her thigh, May felt every nerve ending in her body.
She’d never been the type for demonstrative sexual displays. For her, intimacy had been restrained and polite. She’d enjoyed sex, and felt fulfilled, yet no one would ever call her abandoned.
But Jude magnified everything, both sexual and emotional. The raw moan that ripped from her throat made her sound like a wanton—and she didn’t care. She couldn’t hold back the evocative sounds, not while Jude made love to her. Each moan, each frantic twist of her body, seemed to urge him on.
He sucked at her nipple, nipped and teased, and licked with his rough tongue. He pulled out of her, then pressed deep again, this time with two fingers, stretching her, working her. Using his thumb, he circled her clitoris, all the while sucking at her nipple.
An unfamiliar tightening began inside May. She clenched her muscles, trying to hold on to his fingers. Her hands gripped his shoulders. She lifted into him, groaned, and whimpered. She was so close…
Jude thrust himself away from her.
Cold, panting, May opened her eyes only to see him shucking off his jeans in furious haste, then fumbling with a condom. He glanced up and caught her stunned gaze. “Sorry, honey.”
May held her arms out to him. “Hurry.”
He laughed, groaned, and with the condom finally in place, stretched out atop her. Cupping her face, he said, “We’ll go slow later. I’ll show you how good it can be. I’ll—”
Frantic, May wailed, “Stop talking about it and just do it.”
His nostrils flared. Using his knee, he nudged her legs wider apart and wedged one hand between their bodies. His fingertips slicked over her damp, sensitive flesh, and she felt him opening her, then she felt the broad head of his penis pushing into her.
Her eyes started to drift shut.
“No,” Jude said, his voice harsh with lust. “Keep looking at me. I want to see you when you come.”
May nodded. “Okay.” But it wasn’t easy. Her eyelids felt heavy, her emotions exposed. She wanted him with her, every bit as wild as she felt.
Lifting her legs and wrapping them around him, she dug her heels into the small of his back to hurry him. She wanted all of him, right now.
Jude locked his jaw. His shoulders went taut. And then he thrust hard, burying himself inside her.
They both gasped, going still as May adjusted to his size, and Jude tried to find lost control.
But May didn’t want him controlled. She wanted him as lost as she felt. Needing to push him, she touched his mouth with her fingers and tightened her legs around him. “Jude? You feel so good.”
His expression darkened as he fought it, but he lost the battle. “Shit,” he snarled, even as he began riding her hard, driving into her, pulling all the way out, thrusting in again.
“Yes.” The feelings were so much more than physical. Seeing Jude, breathing in his scent, seeing his excitement and lust while holding him, all made it more than she’d ever experienced. Sharp sensation came in ebbs and flows, growing stronger each time until the tension snapped, flooding her body with pleasure. “Yes, yes, yes.”
Jude held her closer, their gazes still locked, and through the clouded haze of her orgasm, she saw the moment he went taut—and the incredible release that slowly drained him.
Seconds ticked by. Jude let out a long breath, smoothed her hair back from her face, and lowered his weight onto her. So in love she felt sick with it, May turned her face into his throat and just hugged him.
“Damn,” he muttered, kissing her temple. “I’m sorry.”
She sighed. “Why?” For her, it had all been pretty wonderful.
He shifted his weight, leaving her body and turning to his side, but taking her with him so that they stayed in a warm embrace. “I didn’t do half of what I wanted to do.”
Sleepily, she asked, “Like?”
“Like feel your hands on my cock, or your inner thighs on my jaw.”
Her eyes popped open, and even though they were both naked and had just indulged in some incredible sex, she blushed. “Um…”
But Jude wasn’t finished. “I didn’t make you come with my hands and my mouth, the way I’ve dreamed of doing.”
“Jude…”
His hand smoothed down her back to her behind. “And I didn’t tell you how incredibly beautiful you are.”
Her heart turned over, making her eyes damp. “Thank you.”
“If you weren’t so exhausted, I’d start again, right now.” He raised himself to one elbow, destroying her attempts at hiding. Smiling, sexy, he made a temptation no woman could resist.
“Well, then…”
To shush her, he traced her mouth, his expression intent. “But you are exhausted. So I suppose I’ll just have to bide my time until we’ve both had a nap.”
May would have protested that decision, but in a diabolical act sure to distract her, he left the bed and, his back to her, stretched.
Wow. She should commission an artist to paint him just like that. She could have prints done and make a fortune.
Over his shoulder, Jude said, “I’ll just go clean up. Get comfortable. I won’t be long.” And he strode across the room, through the double doors to the bathroom.
Feeling very satisfied, May curled to her side and nestled her head into the pillow. Her body seemed to sink into the sinfully soft mattress. The gentle sounds of the fountain lulled her. Lethargic and sexually replete, smiling from the inside out, she closed her eyes.
Within seconds, she was asleep.
Chapter 11
“Wimp. Can’t you swim any faster than that?”
Eyes narrowed, Tim glared up at Denny. He knew exactly what Denny was doing. Goading him on purpose. Challenging him. But damn it, he still put a little more effort into each stroke.
He had to admit that the light exercises Denny took him through, combined with the weightlessness of the water, had eased some of his aches and pains. That is, he’d admit it to himself.
He wasn’t telling Denny jack shit.
“That’s better.” Along the edge of the pool, Denny kept pace with him. “You’ve got good arms, son. Long. Toned. If you were trained right, that extra reach would be one hell
of an advantage.”
Tim sealed his mouth shut and concentrated on another lap. He would not ask.
He wouldn’t.
But when he reached the end of the pool, the words just came tumbling out. “How so?”
Taking a fighter’s stance, feet planted, one arm extended, Denny said, “You can hit without being hit.” He made two quick jabs. “See what I mean?”
“What do you know about it?”
“Everything there is to know.” The cocky grin left a silver tooth showing. “It’s what I used to do. I trained the most successful fighters in the SBC, including Jude.”
No way. A trainer? “Are you pulling my leg?”
“Nope. Used to fight myself, too, but that shit gets old real quick. Had to have my knee worked on twice, popped my ankle a few times, and got my arm broke in two places.”
Denny pulled up his sleeve to show Tim one of the ghastliest scars he’d ever seen. “Jesus.”
“Yeah. Damn near fucked up my tattoo.” With another grin, he said, “I’ve got so much metal in my body now, the airport sensors go off when I walk through security.”
Tim couldn’t believe the way Denny laughed about it. “So am I done or what?”
“Yeah, haul your sorry ass out. Or do you need help?”
Minutes ago, Tim would have said yes. But now, after Denny joked about broken bones, he was determined to damn well get out on his own steam.
Denny handed him a super-soft towel and crouched down next to him. “Better?”
“I guess.”
Grabbing Tim’s ear, Denny tipped his head to the side. “You ever think about getting a tattoo?”
Wincing in discomfort, Tim eyed him. “A tattoo?”
“Yeah. Right there on your neck. Every fighter has a tattoo. Well, ‘cept for Jude. Stubborn bastard, I could never talk him into it.”
Rubbing his neck where Denny indicated, Tim said, “Do they tattoo necks?”
“The guys I know got everything but their peckers tatted up—and some of ‘em got that done, too.”
No way would he let anyone near his neck—or inside his pants—with tattooing in mind. Besides, didn’t tattoos hurt? They were like… needles, right? Lots of needles. He shuddered at the thought. “I’m not a fighter.”
