by Kim Loraine
He leans forward and brushes the barest of kisses to the nape of my neck as his hand moves around to my belly and up between my breasts. And then a knock on the fitting room door has me nearly jumping out of my skin.
"Mr. Harper? Do you need me to get another size?" our overly helpful saleswoman chirps through the door.
"Bugger," he bites out under his breath before turning his attention to her. "We're fine. We'll be out shortly."
"Oh, wonderful. Did you choose the Naeem Khan gown?"
He sighs and grips my arms before resting his forehead on my shoulder. "Yes. Ring it up, and give us a minute, will you?"
She coughs and mumbles, "Of course."
Then Lincoln's hands are on my bare skin again and he's pushing the dress off my body until I'm standing in only my lacy panties. "Fuck, you are just as beautiful as I thought you'd be."
I shouldn't be letting this happen, but watching the two of us in the mirror I can't bring myself to stop him. Everything feels right in his arms. He kisses my shoulder and scrapes his teeth along my skin and all I can do is moan.
"You taste like sugar."
Oh, God. If he keeps kissing and touching me, I might give my virginity to this man in the fitting room at Saks.
"We... this isn't smart," I finally force myself to say.
"Doing the smart thing is never the same as the fun thing."
I fight a shiver of need. "I don't want to end up in jail for sex in public."
His mouth trails over my collarbone. "We aren't in public. We're in a changing room, behind a door, in private. I could have you against the wall right now. No one will know unless we want them to."
"Linc..." I start but trail off when his warm palms cup my breasts.
"Why not make the most of our arrangement? One week of a pretend engagement with all the perks thrown in."
I can't handle this man. I want him. But deep down, I know I won't be able to let him go if I sleep with him. "I'm not... I've never... been with a man."
He stops. His hands dropping away from my aching breasts. "Wait. You're a virgin?"
Stepping out of the pool of fabric at my feet, I cover my chest with my arms and turn to face him. "Is that a problem? I'd have thought a virginal bride would be right up your family's alley."
"Oh, love, it's far from a problem. But you're right. We should stop. I'm not going to take you for the first time anywhere but my bed. You deserve perfection."
My mouth runs dry at the statement. He's fiercely determined, the growl in his voice making that fact apparent. If we keep playing like this, I'm afraid our spark will burn us both to the ground before we know what's happened.
"I'm... just going to get dressed." I slink off in the direction of the changing stall and pray for a little extra self-control.
I hear his soft sigh as soon as the door shuts behind me and wonder what he's doing. Whether he's rethinking this whole fake fiancée thing, or if he wishes he hadn't helped me in the lobby of his hotel at all. Dressing quickly, I run my fingers through my hair and make sure my clothes are on the right way before I go back to him. But when I step out of the small room, he's not waiting for me. The dress is gone too, and for a moment I fear he really has changed his mind. Maybe he left me here with nothing but my purse, which now holds nothing but my phone, and the clothes on my back.
My hands are clammy as I open the final door that will lead me to the main store. Lincoln stands with his back to me, he's chatting with our saleswoman, and she's flirting shamelessly. The woman bats her eyelashes, laughs and reaches out to touch him playfully. A prickle of jealousy worms its way into my heart. He's supposed to be mine. At least for the next few days.
"Honey," I say, the single word sugar sweet. "I'm all set." Then I glance at the woman and place a possessive hand on Lincoln's bicep. "Thank you for helping my fiancé and me. We're announcing our engagement at his cousin's wedding, and I think that gown will be the perfect thing for the occasion."
Linc chuckles and threads our fingers together. "Speaking of, we best be off to the jeweler. Your ring has been resized and should fit your tiny little finger now." He brings my hand to his mouth and presses a kiss between the knuckles. "Thanks so much for your help, Mandy."
The saleswoman coughs and mutters, "Mindy."
I barely suppress my grin. "I can't wait to get back to the suite," I say.
Linc's eyes meet mine and the look in them makes a jolt of desire rush through me. "Neither can I."
Chapter 4
Lincoln
My God, Charity is beautiful. And the jealous gleam in her eyes nearly sent me through the roof when she came out of the changing room. Now she's sitting next to me in the back seat of a town car, her focus on the window, tension radiating from her like a live wire.
"All right, love?" I ask. Too familiar? Probably. But if she's going to pretend to be mine in front of my family, she'll need to be comfortable around me. I know the best way to ensure that. If this woman will have me, and I think she will, I'll give her a week she'll never forget.
She nods and turns her gaze on me. "I'm just... pondering."
"Pondering what?"
"I don't know. How about the fact that we don't know each other, and we were seconds away from having sex in a fitting room?"
I can't help the chuckle that escapes. "I know. I'll never look at that store the same way again."
Her cheeks turn a bright pink before she looks away. As the car pulls up in front of my hotel, my nerves hum through my body. I don't want her to sleep in her room tonight. I wasn't planning on meeting her, but now that she's in my life, I want every moment possible until we have to leave each other.
"Stay with me tonight," I say.
"What?" Her wide eyes show me I'm walking a fine line between crazy and enticing.
"We'll be going to your reunion tomorrow. Stay in my home, my bed. We can have one night of truth between us before our lie starts."
She takes her plump lower lip between her teeth and considers me for just a moment. "And what is this one night going to be?"
"We can do whatever you like."
A flicker of apprehension fills her eyes. "What if I don't know what I like?"
"I can help you figure it out."
Her answering grin sends excitement through me. "Promise?"
"Cross my heart." The driver opens Charity's door and she exits the car, but she holds a hand out for mine as she leaves. I follow, threading our fingers together and not wanting to let her go.
We walk into the hotel as though this is perfectly commonplace for us, as though we belong linked together and always have.
I catch the eye of Charlie at the reception desk, and he comes scurrying over. "Mr. Harper. Is there anything I can get you?"
"Any word on Miss Baker's belongings?"
Charity swings her gaze to me and cocks her head. "What are you talking about?"
I squeeze her hand and smile. "I might've dispatched Charlie to track down the driver who stole your stuff."
"I was going to do that. You didn't have to."
I shrug. "I've been keeping you rather busy, haven't I?"
Her cheeks blaze pink, and I know she's thinking about our heated moment in the changing room. "Maybe," she says, eyes blazing. I'm aching and hard for her. I wonder if her pussy is as sweet as the rest of her.
Charlie coughs and tears my attention from Charity. "Yes, Charlie?"
"I'm sorry to say, Blue Star Town Cars doesn't exist." He frowns. "There may be other channels I can use to locate her bag, but it's going to take some time."
I nod and pull out my phone, scrolling through my contacts. "Do what you can."
Charity takes her lip between her teeth and her eyes flick to mine before she smiles at Charlie. "You can free up my room, Charlie. I'll be staying with Lincoln this week."
He glances at me, then back to her, and then to me again. "It's fine," I say. "Charity will be attending my cousin's wedding with me." A thrill runs through me at the knowle
dge that she'll be in my flat, my bed, sharing my life for the next week.
He nods and turns on his heels. Good man. I need to get this gorgeous creature to my penthouse and naked before I explode. Tucking Charity against my side, I lead us to the lift. As soon as the doors close, she turns to face me. "Are you going to kiss me, or what?"
Fuck yes, I'm going to kiss her. I cup her face in my hands and press her perfectly curved body against the wall. Thank fuck this building is tall. When my lips touch hers, it's like a fire is sparked and I can't get enough. A magnetic field of passion and desire builds between us. Her hands roam my back and shoulders, searching for purchase, for somewhere she can grab hold. When she finally wraps her arms around my shoulders and pulls me closer, I groan against her lips. That's what I want. I want her needy and desperate for my touch. I want her worked up and ready, so when I take her innocence, I don't hurt her.
The lift stops, doors sliding open to my foyer, but I don't let up. Instead, I slide my hands down her body until I cup her perfect arse. "Wrap your legs around me, love," I whisper between kisses. She does as I ask, her body clinging to mine as our tongues dance and we devour each other.
Our only soundtrack is the tap of my shoes on the hard floor and the breathy moans and pants we're both unable to control. I walk us inside, down the hall, and straight to my bedroom. There's no time to waste with Charity in my arms.
"Ready?" I ask, laying her back on the bed.
Her dark hair is splayed across my duvet, a splash of ebony against the white fabric. "God, yes. I've been waiting for this moment for far too long."
I unknot my tie and slide the gray fabric free of my collar, popping the top button of my shirt as I go. Her gaze is locked on my hands as I make quick work of the rest of the buttons and the white shirt falls to the floor.
"Tattoos," she murmurs.
I nod. "You can hide a lot behind a suit. These are the roadmap of my life." She sits up and traces the line of Sanskrit running up my side. I catch her hand and stop her. "Not now, love. I'll tell you all about them one day, but this moment is all about you. Tonight I'm going to teach you what it's like to be loved by a man."
Chapter 5
Charity
It's nearly impossible to stop my body from shaking with nerves as I watch Linc's muscles tense with each of his movements. The dark lines of text illustrating his toned torso shift along with every flex and release of his abs. God, he's hotter than any guy I've ever known. My gaze trails up, up, up, his considerable height until I find his eyes and at that moment, every fear I have is obliterated. He's staring at me with pure adoration.
"We don't have to do this if you're not ready, Charity," he says. His voice is rough with desire and somehow that comforts me, knowing he feels the same desperation I do.
"I know that. I want to. I was serious when I said I've been waiting too long. I've been waiting for you."
The feral, possessive gleam in his eyes has something building low in my belly, a dark desire for him to own me, body and soul. His jaw clenches tight as he kneels on the bed. I get to my knees on the mattress as well, needing to be close, to feel his heat against my skin. With one smooth movement, I pull my shirt over my head, exposing my lacy white bra. His hands brush my shoulders, his touch far more delicate than I would've expected from such a large man.
"Your skin is the only kind of silk I ever want to feel again," he murmurs as he dips his head and trails his lips over the hollow of my throat. "It's perfect."
I shiver and let out a soft moan. Then his fingers push the straps of my bra off my shoulders before he reaches around and unhooks my bra. My aching breasts fall free, nipples hard and tight, begging for his touch. When his hands slide across my ribs and up to cup me, I let out a sigh of relief. Yes. This is what I need. Fingers roll and gently pinch my nipples sending shockwaves down my spine. I'm overwhelmed with sensation. The culmination of everything around me is permanently etching this moment in my mind. The sound of ragged breaths from both of us fill the room, the feel of his warm palms on me has my thighs clenching, but most of all, it's the smell of clean cotton I know I'll always remember. From now, until the day I die, I will always think of my handsome Englishman when this scent finds me.
"Lie back, lovely girl. I need to make sure you're ready."
"I am. I promise," I almost whine.
"Do as I say." His words are firm, and I can't argue. I lean back with my arms crossed over my bare breasts, but he stops me, tenderly opening my arms and bearing me to him. "Never hide yourself from me. You are pure beauty."
I nod. I'm shaking again from the adrenaline of the monumental leap I'm about to make. "I... I don't know how to do this."
He hooks his fingers in the waistband of my leggings and slides them over my hips, along with my panties. "It's instinct. You'll know exactly what to do."
I'm naked before this beautiful man and for a fleeting moment, I wonder how many women he's taken in this bed. I wonder if he's done this with many of them — seduced them with kindness after riding in like a knight or a prince and saving the day.
"Aren't you getting naked? I may be a virgin, but I know you're supposed to be nude in order for this to work."
He laughs and stands, the distance making my heart ache for him just a little. "Quite right, love." Then he undoes his belt, the slide of metal and the clink of the buckle the only sounds in the room.
His trousers fall to the floor and he stands in only his black boxer briefs, the thick erection behind the cotton making me worried he won't fit inside me. "What if this doesn't work?" My voice is meek, tentative, and I can't look him in the eyes.
"It'll work. We'll take it slow and I promise, I'll make sure it feels good."
I nod and let my gaze drift back to his face. "Okay."
Long fingers trail up my thighs, parting my legs and sending shivers dancing across my skin at the same time. He gives an approving smile before testing my resolve and pressing kisses to the inside of my knee as he kneels on the bed. I'm preoccupied with the sensation of his stubble rasping over the ticklish spot on my knee, laughing and trying not to squirm, and then his finger sinks inside me and I moan.
"All right?" he asks, his thumb playing over my clit and sending sparks through me.
"Oh, yes. So all right."
He pumps his finger, curling it and hitting a tender spot as he goes. Something is building that's better than any orgasm I've given myself. I close my eyes and give myself over to the sensation of this beautiful man's hands on me. Indescribable pleasure bursts inside me as he takes my clit in his mouth and runs his tongue over the sensitive bud. I cry out, coming instantly, gripping his hair in both my hands, convulsing around his finger.
"Lincoln!" I moan, his name the only word I can think of.
He moves away, shoving his boxers down his hips and freeing his shaft. "It's time, Charity. I need inside you."
I pull him forward until his hips rest cradled between my legs and that hard cock of his nudges at my entrance. "I need you inside me, too."
His eyes lock on mine and something real, and raw, and powerful links us. This is more than a fake relationship. I think Linc could be my forever.
Then he moves and slowly pushes the wide head of himself through my entrance. It doesn't hurt, not really. It's more of a strange pressure, a pinch as he keeps going and breaks through my virginity. He sheaths himself fully, limbs trembling, harsh breaths punctuating the intense moment. "God, I need to move. I can't be inside you and not move."
"Yes, please."
He rolls his hips and, God, it feels so good. I see now why my sorority sisters thought I was crazy for waiting. If I'd known it would be like this, I'd have done it sooner too. But there's something inside telling me this isn't how it feels for everyone. Being with Linc is what makes this so... perfect.
His lips claim mine, demanding my attention and sending a tidal wave of emotions crashing over me with every soft groan and rough breath. I can't let him go. There is no way I'l
l ever be able to connect with someone the way I do with him. His skin is hot under my fingers as I run my hands over his back until I grip his ass. That familiar build takes hold and my orgasm rushes up my spine. "God, Linc. I'm coming," I whine.
"Fuck yes, love. Come all over my cock."
I do. I clench and cry out as he brings me to climax. Then, with a guttural groan, he pulls out and says, "Fuck," as his hot cum pulses across my belly.
Foreheads pressed together, we stare at each other. "It would seem I made a bit of a mess of you," he whispers, kissing me between words as though he can't get enough of me.
I giggle. "It would."
"I should've asked about protection. I just got... caught up in you."
Hm. Caught up in me? I love that. "I'm on the pill."
"But, why?"
"Never hurts to be prepared. The last thing I want is an unplanned baby."
Something flashes in his eyes, and I wonder if the thought of getting me pregnant turns him on, or if that was fear. Then his expression hardens. "Were you planning on fucking someone?"
"Eventually, yes. I'm not a nun."
A grin turns up his lips, and I’m relieved he’s not going to push the issue. He nuzzles my neck and chuckles. “Aren’t you? You’ve been a naughty little nun.”
I laugh, and it turns to a moan as he kisses down my body until he takes my nipple into his mouth and sucks. Maybe I’ll never go back to Montana. I’ll stay here, wrapped up in Lincoln, forever.
Chapter 6
Charity
I don’t know when I drifted off to sleep, but I wake up warm and wrapped in Lincoln's strong arms. The crisp, clean scent of him surrounds me, and I have to fight the urge to breathe him in and sigh with happiness. I couldn't have chosen a better man to give my innocence to.
