by J. H. Croix
“Beer will do.” He kicked his shoes off and shrugged out of his suit jacket, rolling up his sleeves and loosening the collar.
She stepped into the kitchen and returned with a bottle of beer. After handing it to him, she sat down on the couch, cupping a glass of red wine. She gestured for him to sit, so he did. He wasn’t a man of many words and tended to be comfortable with silence. This silence unsettled him, mostly because he was waiting to see what she did.
She took several gulps of wine and set her glass on the table beside the couch. She moved swiftly. Before he knew what happened, she turned to him, slid her palm up his chest, along his neck and stroked her fingers into his hair.
“Before I lose my nerve...”
She whispered those words as she tugged him down to meet her lips. That was it. His restraint went up in smoke. When her lips met his, he sensed the barest thread of hesitance, as if she wasn’t sure he wanted to kiss her. Oh, he wanted. And he damn well wanted to make sure she didn’t wonder for a second just how much. He managed to set his beer on the coffee table without breaking free and immediately threaded his hand into the silky fall of her hair. He pulled back a fraction, bringing his hand to cup her cheek and tracing her lips with his thumb. Her eyes opened. For a flash, he saw the uncertainty he sensed, but she masked it quickly. He wanted to say something, but words would nudge her into thinking, and thinking might not be such a good idea right this second.
He closed the distance between their lips again. He tried to start slow, oh he tried, but he failed spectacularly. The moment she gasped against his lips, he dove into the warm sweetness of her mouth. Kissing Becca was like being thrust into a fire. Lust surged through him. Her tongue stroked against his in a sensuous tangle. When she moaned into his mouth, he tore his lips free, licking and nipping his way down her neck. He adjusted his position on the couch and dragged her onto his lap. She didn’t hesitate and sat astride him, dusting his face with kisses, nipping at his earlobe and nearly driving him wild with every touch.
He paused to look at her. Her hair fell in a rumple around her shoulders. Her blue eyes were dark with desire, and her skin flushed. Her breasts strained against her blouse as she breathed in gasps. He trailed his fingers down the side of her neck, savoring the beat of her pulse under his touch, and moved down into the vee of her blouse, her skin damp under his fingers. For so damn long, he’d shoved fantasies about her away, hoping if he ignored them long enough, eventually they’d go away. But now, here she was. He could barely catch his breath against the desire streaking through him, twisting him in its coils.
He dragged his finger under the edge of her blouse and nudged it to the side. Her breath came in soft pants. He could feel the beat of her heart, pounding in tune with his own. He began to methodically unbutton her blouse. When it fell open, he slowly pushed it off her shoulders. He’d have expected practical from her, but she wore a barely there bra, her nipples taut against the fabric, dusky and pink under the sheer cream silk. He didn’t hesitate and cupped her full breasts with his hands, dragging his thumbs back and forth across her nipples. She arched into his touch, crying out when he gave in to temptation and closed his mouth over one of her nipples.
He poured years of desire into every touch. He drew his tongue in slow circles around her nipple, waiting until her breath came in broken gasps before he drew the taut peak into his mouth, biting down softly, savoring her sharp gasp and the flex of her body under his hands. He gave the same attention to her other nipple, all the while trailing his fingers in slow circles over her breasts.
***
Becca tumbled into sensation, need rolling through her as Aidan tugged her nipple into his mouth, swirling his tongue around it. He turned the same attention to her other nipple, while dragging his thumb back and forth over the damp silk. Her breasts were heavy and aching. Desire twisted through her, hot liquid need pulsing with every beat of her heart. She sat astride him, the heat of his shaft hard against her. He dragged his lips up her neck. His touch was like flames licking along her skin. She tore at his shirt, yanking it open and shoving it off his shoulders. His chest was pure muscle. A light smatter of dark hair tapered down toward his waist. She trailed her fingers over his chest, tracing a scar that curved along his ribcage. A flicker of curiosity wondered at its source. As a Navy SEAL, his body was all that she’d expect, and yet she knew he’d seen his share of action and sustained more than a few bumps and bruises along the way.
She nearly went wild when he bit down on her nipple, so peaked with need she could hardly bear it. Only when the silk of her bra was drenched did he flick his thumb under the clasp and shove it off her shoulders. The feel of his calloused palms cupping her breasts nearly undid her. She rolled her hips against him, arching down into the spikes of sharp pleasure. He caught her lips in a kiss, groaning when she curled her palm around his cock, stroking it through his pants. Suddenly, he shifted, lifting her easily into his strong embrace and carrying her effortlessly. When he reached the shadowed alcove, he glanced down at her, arching a brow. She nudged her chin toward her bedroom door. Without a word, he shouldered through.
Next thing she knew, he’d flicked the lamp on and stretched her out on the bed. He peeled off her stockings with ruthless efficiency. The feel of the cool air on her skin only served to fan the flames inside. He had one knee on the foot of the bed. In the shadowed light, his body was mouth-watering—all lean muscle, flexing with every small motion. He held still, his eyes traveling up her body—a touch of its own kind. Her belly fluttered and clenched. The waiting, the anticipation nearly undid her. She started to sit up and reach for him. His eyes on her, he shook his head. Her pulse running wild, her breath shallow and liquid need pulsing within, she leaned back and waited.
He curled his hands around her ankles and then stroked them up her calves, his touch hot, sure, and so slow, she nearly screamed. His lips followed. Her sex clenched with need as his lips made their way up to her knees. Suddenly, he stopped and she almost cried out. He toyed with the edge of her skirt, just long enough to send her pulse rocketing, before his hands traveled over the thin fabric of her skirt. He dragged her skirt off, tossing it across the room, and stood. She was bare save for her panties. She had a penchant for sexy, silky bras, but she leaned practical when it came to her underwear. Though she managed to match by color, they were simple and cotton.
Aidan looked down at her, his mouth hitching in a small smile. His smiles were so damn sexy, she lost her breath for a moment. When he kept looking at her, uncertainty washed through her. She’d lost herself for a bit. He did that to her. But she hadn’t forgotten for years that she hadn’t been enough for Kyle. Even if she told herself all day that Kyle was a loser, it still hurt he’d found someone else more appealing. That thread of attraction she’d tried to ignore with Aidan didn’t change the reality he could have just about any woman he wanted. He was the quintessential tall, dark and sexy man with the added bonus of a super-hot military grade body. She’d lost focus and forced her eyes back to Aidan’s—the blur of his burning, blue gaze.
“What?” she asked, wondering why he kept watching her with that half-smile.
“Practical, just like I’d have guessed.”
Before she could ask what he meant, he reached into his pocket and tossed a condom on the nightstand, his eyes holding hers. She couldn’t help her wry comment. “So you came prepared?”
He shrugged. “Always.”
He shoved his pants down and kicked them to the side. He stood before her in a pair of fitted black briefs, his arousal evident. Her mouth went dry, her breath catching in her throat. Want flashed through her so hard and fast, her body felt like it was on fire. The bed dipped as Aidan knelt, one knee between her thighs. With his eyes on her like hot embers, he dragged a finger across the cotton between her thighs. It was drenched with her need. Her breath broke, anticipation arcing inside. Heat curled through her body. Desire coiled tighter and tighter as he teased her. Slow strokes, her hips rolling into his touch, until he
hooked a finger over the edge and dragged her panties off.
Just when she was desperate to feel his touch inside of her, he drew his fingers slowly through her slick folds, teasing her until she was thrashing. Finally, finally, he eased his fingers into her channel. She fell into nothing but need and sensation when his mouth joined his fingers. His tongue dragging back and forth, his fingers plunging into her channel. Pleasure coursed through her, building and building until it broke in a wave, whipping through her body.
Aidan lifted up and over her body, bracketing her face with his elbows. For a split second, it hit her—what they were doing. Becca shoved it away. She wouldn’t let herself second-guess this. It was too amazing. His head dipped into her neck, and he feathered kisses along her collarbone and neck. The white-hot climax that had just ripped through her eddied into the pulse of desire still beating between them. His hips nudged against her. Somewhere along the way, he’d kicked his briefs off. His cock slid back and forth in her folds, slick and swollen with desire. Over the next few moments, he brought her right back to the place where need clawed at her. She wanted him inside of her so badly, she was panting and gasping.
When she finally managed to form a word—his name—she opened her eyes and found his on her. The raw intimacy in his gaze snagged her and held her fast in its power. She couldn’t look away. As terrifying as it was, she knew what she saw in his eyes was reflected in her own. In this moment, when she faced her own vulnerability and wanted to hide, she couldn’t because the feelings held within the space between them ran too deep. She couldn’t have turned away if she tried. The moment was stripped bare and beautiful.
He deliberately reached to the nightstand where he’d tossed his condom earlier. It was as if he was giving her a chance to back out. As if she could even consider it. She’d already barreled through every barrier she’d kept herself walled behind, and she wasn’t about to miss out on the full act. Holding his gaze, she watched as he slowly tore the foil packet in his teeth and reached between their bodies. Frantic, she tried to be helpful, but only managed to bump her forehead into his.
The moment snapped the tension when he chuckled. When he brought his gaze to hers, his eyes sobered quickly. Her heart clenched. She trusted Aidan. That’s why she’d allowed herself to act on this harebrained idea. Well, that and the fact that the second he’d kissed her, she’d finally stopped trying to deny how much she wanted him. She couldn’t have known how good it would feel to be close to him. She couldn’t have known it would tug on her heart, that he would elicit this vulnerability, this pressing need to stop trying to shove her emotions away.
With her breath coming in shallow gasps, she couldn’t look away. He held still, the head of his cock resting at her entrance. His eyes on hers, his words fell softly in the room. “Are you sure about this?”
“Don’t you think it’s a little late for that?” she managed with a wry smile.
“If you say so, this stops. Now. I just want to make sure this is what you want.”
Tears pushed at the back of her eyes. Because Aidan was this kind of man. Even though they’d gotten this far and it was more than clear he wanted her, he would stop if she asked. But she wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anyone, and she wanted this. Now. So, she nodded. “It’s what I want.” She stroked her palm up his back, savoring the flex of his muscles under her touch. Lacing her fingers into his hair, she tugged his mouth to hers, pausing when his lips were a fraction away from hers.
“Now,” she whispered.
She curled her legs around his hips and arched against him. His breath hissed through his teeth before he surged into her, seating himself deeply. She gasped as he stretched and filled her. He held still for a long moment. She could feel his heart beating against her chest. Slowly, he began to move, setting a rhythm that was absolute. His steady, deep strokes drove her higher and higher until she was arching against him, need twisting her tighter and tighter in its flames.
Her head tossing back and forth, another climax burst through her, this one deeper and more intense than the last as her channel convulsed around him. She cried out when he surged one last time into her, his body arching taut like a bow before he shuddered against her. He held still, his breath heaving as he rested above her, his weight on his elbows. As her heart rate slowed, he drew away and stood quickly. In the shadowed light, she saw him step into the bathroom and toss his condom in the trash. In seconds, he was lifting the covers and easing down at her side when she rolled out of the way. He tucked the covers around them and drew her against him.
Becca recalled one of the things she appreciated about Aidan was he didn’t mind quiet. She didn’t have it in her to speak just now. Not while her body hummed from the aftershocks of what just happened and while intimacy feathered its way into her heart as she wondered if she’d miscalculated dangerously. She’d promised herself this would be just once. Now she’d felt what it was like to be close to Aidan, to taste what it was like to be with him, she didn’t know if once would even come close to filling the depth of her need for him.
Chapter 8
Aidan woke during the night. Becca was curled at his side, her head tucked against his shoulder. He stroked his hand through the tangle of her silky hair, savoring the sound of her breathing. He allowed his hand to coast down her back and over the lush curve of her hip. He’d prepared himself that she might promptly send him on his way last night, but she hadn’t. Years of fantasies denied couldn’t have prepared him for what it would be like to actually make love to Becca. She’d slayed him through and through. Now he had to hope she sensed the depth of possibility between them. He knew he had to be careful and to be patient, which would force him to call upon all of his discipline. Years of rigorous military training should help him, but his heart was in deep already. He wanted to reach out and grab her, but this was Becca. She was strong-willed and independent…and guarded. It would be one of the hardest things he’d ever done, but he would be patient and move at a pace she would tolerate.
She shifted in her sleep, her legs sliding against his. He fell back into sleep, his heart beating to the tune of her soft breathing. When he woke later, light was filtering through the gauzy curtains. He turned his head just as she blinked her eyes open. His body instantly tightened. Her blue eyes were open and unguarded—so rare for her. He could feel her breasts pressing against his side, her legs tangled loosely with his. He had no expectations for this moment because he’d never imagined it would happen. Her hand rested on his chest, sliding away when she rolled her neck to glance out the window.
She turned back. “It’s raining.” Her voice was raspy with sleep.
He looked past her. The curtains parted in the center and nothing but fog and rain were visible. “It is.”
She was quiet, her fingers idly tracing his chest. He didn’t know how much he could take of her touch without acting on the lust thrumming in his body. But he’d promised himself she had to set the tone, so he called on every ounce of restraint he had.
“I s’pose we should get up,” she said softly.
“Probably.”
She leaned up on her elbow. “I...” Her breath caught.
His pulse surged, his body nearly taut with anticipation. Yet, he waited.
She shook her head sharply, a soft laugh escaping. “I thought…” Her eyes had a pleading look, as if she wanted him to speak.
“Maybe we shouldn’t think too much. I don’t know about you, but sometimes my brain gets in the way.” His throat tightened. His body and heart wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anyone. The longing ran so deep it was like being caught in a riptide.
Something flashed in the depth of her eyes. “Perhaps so.” She bit her lip, her eyes holding his for an electric moment before she leaned forward.
Her lips met his, tentative at first. He might be trying his damnedest to make sure she made the first move, but once the door was blown open, he didn’t hold back. He stroked his palm up her back and cupp
ed the nape of her neck. He threw himself into their kiss, allowing the flames to engulf them.
***
Becca stood in the shower, hot water cascading over her. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, letting the water wash away the insanity of last night and this morning. Aidan had just stepped out of the shower after proceeding to drive her nearly wild and bring her to yet another mind-blowing orgasm. She thought she should feel awkward and uncomfortable with him, but she wasn’t—unless she had time to think.
She shook her head—trying to knock her mind off its loop—and turned off the shower. She dressed quickly for work and walked out into the living room. Aidan was sitting on the couch, his phone tucked against his shoulder. His black curls were still damp. He wore his slightly rumpled clothes from yesterday and still managed to look sexy as hell. He glanced up and smiled, instantly sending her pulse skittering wild. She nodded and took a breath, walking briskly past him into the kitchen.
She started coffee and snagged her phone from her purse to check emails from work. Moments later, Aidan finished his call and stepped through the archway into the kitchen. She’d marshaled a dose of courage to do her damnedest not to let this turn awkward and nodded towards the coffee pot. “Coffee?”
“Sure.”
She quickly filled two mugs and handed him one before sitting down at the small round table she kept in the corner of the kitchen. He joined her. After a few sips of fortifying coffee, she glanced over at him. He was relaxed in his chair. He took a gulp of coffee and arched a brow when he met her gaze.
“I can drop you off at work if you’d like.”
“Sure. Either that, or I’ll have to grab a cab.”
He nodded, his thumb tracing the edge of his coffee mug. She wanted to ask him what he was thinking, but she didn’t dare. Her silly idea that she could burn through her desire for him was almost taunting her now. She wasn’t ready to talk, but she couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking.
