Monroe, Marla - Hot and Bothered (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Monroe, Marla

  “Nothing. I guess I am feeling old is all. I don’t want to settle down and lead a boring life like…”

  “Like me. You were going to say like me, weren’t you?” Savanna sighed. So she was boring now.

  “I didn’t mean it that way. Just that you’re happy owning your own business and all.”

  “But I’m bored with my sex life. So, how is your sex life?” She couldn’t help the sarcasm in her voice.

  “Great. It’s great. Ben is an out of this world lover.” Karen rubbed her hands over her face. “I shouldn’t complain, should I? I’ve got a great man and a good job. What more can a girl want?”

  “Excitement.” Savanna took her friend’s hands in hers and squeezed. “You got it in bed, and I don’t. I got it in my job, and you don’t. We always want what we don’t have.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Karen pulled away, grasped her coffee in both hands, and took a sip. “So, let’s work on finding you a red-hot lover.”

  “I think I’ll settle for a lukewarm lover about now.” She laughed. “I’m presently without a lover at all.”

  “How about that guy who rescued you? Dusty or something?”

  “Dustin. He was really nice. Had a great body, too.” Savanna was tempted to confide in her friend that she had been dreaming about that body every night for the last week.

  “Maybe he’ll be there Saturday night. Wouldn’t that be great?” Karen grinned, much like her old self.

  “I don’t know. I’m not sure he really liked me, you know? He didn’t ask me to dance again. In fact, I didn’t even see him again until he got that guy to leave me alone.”

  “Hey, there were hundreds of people there. He might have been watching you all night and you wouldn’t have seen him. If he’s there, you have to dance with him.”

  Savanna laughed and shook her head. “Don’t worry, I’m not passing up the opportunity to get up close and personal with that body.”

  “There you go. We’ll have a blast.” Karen finished her coffee and looked at her watch.

  “Shit, I’ve got to go. I promised Ben I would be home before eight. I’m going to have to rush to make it.” Karen jumped up from the table and hugged Savanna when she rose as well.

  “I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” she said and sprinted for the door.

  Savanna sat back down to finish her coffee and think. All was not well between Ben and Karen. Her friend was feeling hemmed in for some reason. She couldn’t figure it out, though, because Ben had always been easygoing and let Karen do just about anything she wanted to do. They were the happiest couple she had ever been around. Or at least she thought they were. What had happened to change things?

  The coffee cup warmed her hands. It was still cool at night, though it was full spring now. The days heated up to a warm fifty-five or sixty degrees, but the nights still managed to hover around freezing. Maybe it was more an inner chill than the weather, she decided as she finished her coffee and prepared to leave. Maybe her cold love life and Karen’s rocky one were getting to her more than she realized.

  * * * *

  The club was about as crowded when they arrived that Saturday night as the last time, the only difference being they were earlier than before. Finding a table turned out to be just as difficult as the last time. After a good thirty minutes of circling the building, they located a booth against the wall opposite the bar. In order to keep the table, someone had to remain there while the others danced. She volunteered for the first shift and watched as Ben and Karen boogied on the dance floor.

  Karen seemed to be in a much better mood tonight than she had been the other day. Savanna sure hoped that had been just an off mood and not the norm for her friend. She hated to see her upset and certainly didn’t want her and Ben to break up. They were the two most stable people she knew.

  Savanna had come from a broken home where her father decided he didn’t like the responsibility of two kids and a wife, so he split when she was twelve years old. Her mom worked hard to put food on the table, but she kept dating the same type of guys. They were always looking for an easier way to make money, one fly-by-night scheme after another. She vowed she would never marry a man like that. She wanted someone stable. Someone who had a decent job—someone she could depend on to be there for her.

  On the other hand, she wanted a man who knew his way around a woman’s body, someone who could make her wet just by looking at her. She didn’t think she would ever find both in one man, so she would have a fling or three with some hot-as-Hades man until she found her steady Eddie. Then she would settle down and raise a family. Her family days were fast dwindling, so she needed to put a rush on things.

  Ben and Karen dropped back in their chairs, laughing and sweating.

  “It is so crowded out there,” Karen said. “I mean, Ben put his arm around me and ended up with his hand on some guy’s ass.”

  Savanna about died laughing along with Karen. “What did the guy say?”

  Ben shook his head. “I’m not repeating it.”

  “He said, maybe later, but he was busy right now.” Karen slapped her hand over her mouth and choked, trying not to laugh.

  “How ’bout a dance?” A fairly good-looking man stood at the booth looking down at Savanna.

  Karen kicked her under the table.

  “Sure.” Savanna slid out of the booth.

  Her dance date was about two inches taller than her and was built like a swimmer, with a broad chest with slim hips and strong thighs. His jeans clung to his thighs but bagged on his ass. He danced pretty damn well, though. Savanna found out his name was Jack and he worked at a computer repair shop. He loved to ski and boat and ran five miles every day. All in all, a good guy. He didn’t do it for her on a sexual level, though.

  When she would have sat back down, another man claimed her. This one didn’t mind dancing close and used every opportunity there was to touch her and rub against her. About all she learned about him was that he liked to race cars and watch the races on TV. He didn’t do it for her either. This time, when the song ended, she made it back to the booth only to find Ben there alone.

  She slid in opposite him. “Where is Karen?”

  “Dancing. You know how much she likes to dance.” Ben brushed it off, but Savanna could see he wasn’t pleased about it.

  “I’m sorry. I got tapped on my way in from the first song.”

  “Not your fault. She just wants to have fun, I guess.”

  “I’m here now. Why don’t you go dance with her? The song is about over now,” Savanna suggested.

  “Naw, I don’t want to leave you here alone.”

  “Nonsense. I’m fine. Go dance with her. Like you said, she loves to dance.”

  He got up out of the booth. “We’ll bring back some water when we get through. How about that?”

  “I’d love some water. Go have fun.” Savanna watched him slip into the crowd. She hoped he found Karen and that Karen was behaving.

  Someone stepped between her and the dance floor. She looked up, and her eyes widened. Dustin stood next to the booth with two bottles of water.

  “Hi, thought you might be thirsty.” He offered her one of the bottles. “Top is still on it. I didn’t open it so you would know it was safe to drink.”

  “Thanks.” Savanna smiled up at him and indicated the opposite side of the booth. “Have a seat.”

  “Having a better time tonight?” he asked.

  “So far, so good.” Savanna laughed. “At least, I haven’t started any fights yet.”

  “You didn’t start the last one.”

  “I bet the bouncer would argue that one with you,” Savanna said.

  Dustin slid into the booth next to her. Savanna scooted toward the wall to give him more room. He didn’t seem to want more room since he moved closer.

  “So, Savanna, what do you do?”

  “I run a spa. What about you?”

  “Oh, this and that. I drive a truck sometimes, and sometimes I work behind a d
esk. Just depends on what I feel like doing at the time.”

  Uh-oh, Savanna thought. Deadbeat. So? You aren’t looking for a husband, you’re looking for a lover for now.

  “Sounds like you are your own boss then.”

  “Yep, just the way I like it.” He put one arm around behind her to lie along the back of the seat.

  She felt the heat from his leg against hers. His hand fiddled with her hair, and a tingle played down her spine from that simple touch. When he asked her a question, she had to turn to face him to answer, and their mouths were so close it would take very little movement for them to brush against each other.

  “I’m sorry. What did you say?” She couldn’t think with him so close to her.

  “I asked if you would like me to open your bottle for you.” He touched her water with a finger.

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  Dustin opened her bottled water. When he handed it to her, their fingers touched. The resulting spark caused her to jump and nearly turn over the bottle. She jerked her eyes upward to meet his. He looked as shocked as she felt. Savanna picked up the bottle and took a drink of the cool water. It did little to quench the fire beginning to burn deep inside her. Being this close to him after all of the intensely sexual dreams she’d had about him wasn’t helping.

  “When your friends get back, would you like to dance?” Dustin asked.

  Savanna smiled and nodded. “Sure, that would be great.”

  As if on cue, Ben and Karen walked up. Karen had a grimace on her face, while Ben frowned. Clearly, things weren’t going well with them.

  Dustin stood up. Ben held out his hand, and they shook.

  “Great to see you again,” Ben said. He waited for Karen to scoot over in the seat before he sat down.

  Dustin held out his hand and nodded toward the dance floor. “Ready?”

  “Oh, maybe I should wait. Ouch.” Savanna glared over at Karen. She’d kicked her under the table again.

  “Nonsense, you go ahead and dance. That’s why you’re here. Have some fun.” Karen shooed her away.

  Savanna shrugged then slid across the seat and let Dustin help her stand. With one last look over her shoulder at Karen and Ben, she let Dustin pull her toward the dance floor.

  “I like the way your blouse looks with your eyes. You have beautiful eyes.” Dustin held her close.

  “Thanks.” She smiled at him, and when he drew her closer, she didn’t pull away.

  The floor was so crowded that all they could do was sway on their feet. The music wove a spell of seduction around Savanna. She let her hands explore his shoulders and chest. His hands rested at her hips. His lips grazed her ear as he spoke to her.

  “I’m glad you came back tonight. I missed out on my second dance last week.”

  “I’m glad I came tonight, too.”

  He ran one hand up her back and back down again to rest at the swell of her hip. His other hand cupped the back of her neck, and he drew her face up for a kiss. His lips whispered over hers. He nipped at her lower lip and then ran his tongue along the seam of her lips until she opened and he could gain entrance. His mouth devoured hers. His tongue sparred with hers as he pulled her tighter against him. She felt the thick length of his cock against her abdomen.

  Dustin’s hand tangled in her hair, holding her still while his mouth adjusted to hers and continued plundering. Savanna wrapped her hands in his hair and pulled his head down lower in an attempt to take over the kiss. He laughed into her mouth and pulled away.

  “I think we better slow down. Much more, and I’ll have you on the dance floor.”

  Savanna felt her face grow warm. “I wouldn’t have…”

  “I think both of us would have, given half a chance,” Dustin said.

  The song ended, and he led her back toward the booth. She hated the song had ended, but it was probably for the best. He was right, she had gotten way too sexual dancing with him. Isn’t that what you’ve been looking for? Someone who could make you forget little things like being in public?

  When they arrived back at the table, Ben stood up and pulled Karen out of the booth.

  “Sorry, Savanna. We need to call it a night. Are you ready?” Ben asked. There were lines around his mouth as if he were trying to control his expression.

  “Sure.”

  “Nonsense,” Karen said. “We came so Savanna could have a good time. She just got here. There’s no need for us to leave this early, Ben.”

  “Karen, I don’t mind,” Savanna began.

  “I’ll take you home later,” Dustin offered when Ben shook his head at Karen.

  “Oh, really, that’s nice of you, but I should really go with them.” Savanna wasn’t sure what was going on, but Ben and Karen were obviously fighting about something.

  “No, Savanna. You stay and enjoy yourself. I’m sure Dustin will take care of you. Right, Dustin?” Karen glared at Ben.

  “Of course. I’ll take good care of her.” He took Savanna’s hand and smiled at her. “Say yes, and stay and dance a little longer.”

  Ben shrugged when she looked in his direction. “You have our number. I’ll come back and get you if you decide you don’t want to ride home with him.”

  Savanna looked at Karen and decided she didn’t need to be in the same car with them while they had their little fight. They needed to hash it out between themselves. Dustin seemed nice enough, but she could always call a cab.

  “Okay, I’ll stay and dance some more,” she said. “Karen, call me in the morning.”

  “I will. You have a good time. Don’t worry about us.” She pushed Ben toward the door and waved at Savanna on the way out. “Have fun.”

  Savanna watched as they were swallowed up by the crowd. The sea of people formed waves as they undulated back and forth on the dance floor. She sure hoped she had made the right decision.

  “Let’s sit for awhile and talk,” he said.

  Savanna slid into the booth and was relieved when he sat across from her. She didn’t have enough control yet to sit next to him and not grope him.

  “Do you like motorcycles?” Dustin asked out of the blue.

  “Well, yeah, I guess so. Why?”

  “I ride a bike. I have an extra helmet but wasn’t sure if you liked to ride or not.”

  “Oh, now is a little late for finding out, don’t you think?” she said.

  “Maybe. Guess it depends,” he said.

  “Depends on what?”

  “If you mind riding home on the back of my bike.”

  Savanna shook her head and smiled. “I don’t mind, but I’m not exactly dressed for riding.”

  “I have a jacket in the saddlebags you can wear. I won’t let you get cold.”

  “So what are you doing next week? Driving a truck or sitting behind a desk?”

  “Are you really interested?” he asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m going to be sitting behind a desk next week I think,” he said.

  “Which do you enjoy more? The desk or the truck?” she asked.

  “Actually, I like them both. I just don’t like to do either one of them for very long at a time. I get bored easily.” He smiled at her.

  “Am I boring you already?”

  “Nope. I don’t think you could ever bore me.”

  Another slow song started up, and he nodded toward the dancers. “How about another dance?”

  Savanna smiled and slid out of the booth. This time, he made no pretenses of keeping his distance. He pulled her in close from the very start and rested both hands at the swell of her hips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and played in his hair. They fit together, she decided. Maybe they would fit together in more ways than one. Am I really considering having sex with a total stranger? Well, it is the second time you’ve met him.

  Dustin kissed her temple and then the corner of her eye. She felt his breath against her skin and shivered. He pulled her closer, if that were possible. She felt every line of his body against hers. His warmth see
ped into her skin, and his scent filled her lungs. She wanted him and knew without a doubt she would sleep with him, if he asked.

  Chapter Three

  They danced for nearly an hour, and Dustin was so damn turned on he wasn’t sure he could wait to get her home. He wanted her now. The feel of her breasts against his chest tightened his cock until he wasn’t sure he was going to be able to sit on the bike to get her home.

  “You about ready to call it a night?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I’ve had a great time, but it’s time for me to get home.” She smiled at him.

  “Hold on to my hand so I don’t lose you on the way to the door.” Dustin took her hand, and they braved the crowd.

  Her hand in his felt good—warm and soft. They made it to the door without getting separated. Once they were outside, he pulled her in close to keep her warm. She felt good next to him, sharing his warmth. It was going to be a cold ride on the bike without his jacket, but as horny as he was, the cool air should help calm him down some.

  He guided her toward his bike. When they got to it, he unlocked the saddlebags and pulled the jacket out of one side and the spare helmet out of the other. Dustin helped her into his jacket and zipped it up for her. Then he handed her the helmet. He watched her wind her hair up and slip the helmet on over the thick knot. He had to draw in a deep breath at the thought of all that hair against his skin.

  “Okay, ready? Get on behind me then.” He mounted the bike and held it steady while she climbed on behind him. “Hold on tight.”

  She wasn’t shy and wrapped her arms around him, leaning against his back. If it weren’t for the jacket, he would have been able to feel her breasts. Stop it, Dustin. You just think you’re getting laid. You don’t know jack yet.

  He pulled out of the parking lot of the business next door to the club and stopped at the red light. “Want to tell me how to get to your place?” he asked over his shoulder.

  “Oh, sorry.” She gave him directions.

  He nodded, and they took off when the light turned green. Less than fifteen minutes later, he pulled up outside her apartment. It wasn’t in a bad part of town, but it wasn’t the most upscale either. Each building held four apartments, two on each side. Hers was on the bottom floor. He helped her take off the helmet and stowed it back in the saddlebag.