by Kali Argent
A rush of wet heat slicked her pussy, and her swollen clit throbbed in time with the rapid beat of her pulse. When she hovered on a precipice, convinces she couldn’t take another second of his teasing, Rayce lowered his mouth and plunged his tongue deep into her clenching core.
With her eyes squeezed closed, she cried out, her muscles twitching at her body coiled tight enough to shatter. He pushed her higher, harder, alternately swirling his tongue against her opening, then flicking the tip over her pulsing clitoris. He kept her at the pinnacle, but never let her fall, pulling back just when her release seemed within reach.
“Rayce! Please!”
“Patience,” he rasped. Moving up her body, he kissed a line of molten lava from her belly button to her cleavage. “I could taste you forever.”
He cupped the swell of her breast, his long, talented fingers kneading the flesh and making her squirm. Phoebe shuddered, tangling her fingers in his hair in an attempt to pull him closer. Rayce chuckled, his laughter deep and husky, but he didn’t disappoint. Closing his lips around her pebbled nipple, he sucked and tugged, worrying the skin between his teeth until she writhed and moaned beneath him.
“Mmm,” he hummed, “you like that, too.”
She couldn’t make sense of his words, because he chose that moment to turn his attentions to her other breast, squeezing, biting, and licking, until she trembled and panted, hovering once again on the brink of release.
“I wonder…” Trailing off, he slid his fingers down her belly to reach between her thighs. Parting her folds with his thumb, he pressed the pad hard against her swollen clitoris, and rubbed tight, fast circles. “Like that? Is that what you like?”
Pure, intense pleasure ripped through her, tightening every muscle in her body. She thrashed and moaned, coming apart at the seams as she rode out the waves of orgasm. She was falling, tumbling into an endless abyss, but she wasn’t afraid, because she knew Rayce would catch her.
His weight disappeared, and she heard the familiar sound of a cellophane envelope being ripped open. The scent of latex filled the air, subtle but identifiable, and Phoebe pried her eyelids open as Rayce crawled back onto the bed to insinuate himself between her splayed and trembling thighs. Forcing her arms to work, she held them up, twining them around his neck as she welcomed him into the cradle of her hips.
Hooking his elbow beneath her knee, he opened her wider, positioning the crown of his thick cock at her entrance. His shoulders tensed, the cords in his neck popped, and she could hear his teeth grinding together as he took his time, entering her in controlled increments. Even now, his need to protect outweighed his own desires, but she didn’t want his restraint.
“I’m not breakable.” Arching up, she trailed her lips down the side of his neck. “You’re not going to hurt me.”
“Fuck, you’re so tight.”
Her inner walls stretched to accommodate his girth, her muscles aching and stinging in protest, but the bite of pain only added to her pleasure. She wanted him, all of him, and she wanted him now. Tilting her hips, she pushed against him, pulling him deeper until they were fully joined.
“Move,” she demanded. “Oh, fuck, please.”
His groan vibrated against her chest as he gave over to his primal need, snapping his hips and driving into her with untamed abandon. His swollen length invaded her depths, filling her completely, stretching her wider with every inward stroke, driving her toward another earth-shattering orgasm.
Crying out his name, she clutched at his shoulders, daggering her fingers into the tense muscles as she bucked against him, meeting him thrust for powerful thrust. Perspiration dampened his smooth skin, the moisture glinting in the warm sunlight that spilled over them. Pulling her closer, he buried his face against the side of her neck, his warm breath tickling her skin and sending currents of electricity racing down her spine.
When her second orgasm slammed into her, stealing her breath and throwing her body into chaos, everything else faded except for her and Rayce. In that moment, nothing else existed. Nothing else mattered. He surrounded her, filled her, consumed every part of her.
Moaning and writhing, she called his name, holding tight to his shoulders to anchor herself when she careened over the edge of bliss once again. A few seconds later, Rayce followed, snapping his hips in a hard, demanding rhythm as he chased his own climax. With a loud roar that echoed around the room, he stilled, tense and unyielding, his massive frame shuddering as he released himself into the thin barrier between them.
Once he’d caught his breath, he rolled to the side of the bed to tie off the condom and clean himself with the tissues on her nightstand. Task completed he returned to curl around her, pulling her into the safety of his arms as he peppered kisses over her cheeks, her brow, and along the curve of her jaw.
“How do you feel?”
“Amazing,” she answered on a wispy sigh.
“I didn’t hurt you?”
“Not at all.” Cupping his cheek, she arched her neck to deliver a chaste kiss to the corner of his mouth. “You were perfect.”
“This is going to be a problem.”
Her heart fell to her stomach. “What problem? Why?”
Gently, he rolled her beneath him, his lips nibbling the skin over her collarbones. “I’m so getting fired from my job.”
“Why?” she asked breathlessly. With his mouth on her like that, it was hard to think straight. “Because I’m a client?”
Rayce chuckled, dipping lower and trailing open-mouthed kisses toward the apex of her thighs. “No, sugar. Not because you’re a client.”
Her skin burned, and a new, deeper throb strummed her body. “Then why?”
“Because now that I’ve had a taste, I don’t know how I’m ever going to leave this bed.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
It was nearly noon when Phoebe stumbled into the kitchen the next morning. Her eyes itched from sleep, and her body ached in all the right places. Rayce had made love to her twice more during the day, and again during the night, each time just as amazing as the first. Then, she’d fallen asleep in his arms, safe, warm, and utterly content.
Despite his concerns, however, they had managed to leave the bed at some point—if only to shower and scavenge for leftovers in the kitchen.
At the edge of the kitchen, she paused, a grin stretching her lips. With his back to her, Rayce fiddled with something on the far counter, likely some kind of food considering the time. He’d dressed comfortably for his day off, choosing a pair of black basketball shorts and a loose, gray T-shirt, both of which she knew had come from her dryer. Since he slept over most nights, more and more of his clothes had been making their way into her laundry.
“You’re staring,” he said without turning.
“I’m gazing. There’s a difference.”
“Creeper.”
Phoebe rolled her eyes. “What are you doing over there?”
“Setting up your birthday present.”
“What?” She perked up immediately. She’d always loved her birthday. “It’s not until next week, though.”
“I know, but I owed you. I went out at the ass crack of dawn to get it, so you better love it.” He shifted to the left, further blocking her view. “Just one more…there.”
Phoebe hurried over to the counter and took Rayce by the hips, trying to see around him. “What is it? Is it a new coffee maker? Let me see it.”
“Patience, woman.”
Wrapping both arms around his middle, she pulled as hard as she could, but she might as well have been trying to move the moon for all the good it did. “Rayce, it’s my birthday present.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re cranky in the morning?”
A motor kicked on, whirring and buzzing, followed by the sound of grinding and the distinct and succulent scent of fresh coffee beans. “Oh, it has a grinder? Are you freakin’ kidding me? Best boyfriend ever!”
That finally got him to move. Turning, Rayce grabbed her face in both
hands and swooped in to deliver a scorching kiss that nearly made her forget all about her birthday present.
“Mm, I like the sound of that,” he murmured, kissing her cheeks, her forehead, and the tip of her nose. “Happy Birthday, sugar.”
When he stepped to the side, giving her a clear view of her new coffee maker, she was sure she’d never made the sound that came out of her mouth before. It was miles beyond the one she’d broken, and so perfect she could have hugged it if it hadn’t started steaming. There were so many buttons and blinking lights, and not only did it grind coffee beans, but it did so directly into the filter, then automatically brewed it afterwards.
“This is amazing.” She leaned in closer and breathed deeply through her nose. “It’s perfect. Where’s my phone?”
“Your phone?”
“I need to take a picture of it.”
Spinning around, she found her cell phone where she’d left it on the island. Once she’d set up the perfect shot, she snapped a picture, then opened her favorite social media app.
“What are you doing now?”
“Posting it on Facebook,” she answered distractedly.
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
“Don’t worry, there’s nothing identifying in the picture. Just the coffee maker with the hashtag ‘best boyfriend on the planet’ and a smiley face.” She held her phone up for him to see when she’d finished typing the post. “See? No big.”
Rayce chuckled under his breath and shook his head. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to dating a celebrity.”
“Please,” she scoffed. “I’m hardly a celebrity.” The doorbell rang, interrupting what she expected would have been an interesting debate. “Oh, crap.”
“You expecting someone?”
“Elena. We’re supposed to be going into the city today to have lunch with our agent. I completely forgot.” Combing her fingers through her tangled hair, she looked down at the cartoon frogs on her oversized T-shirt and whimpered. “I suck.”
“Jonas isn’t going, is he?”
“No.” She didn’t see how that mattered. “Why?”
“He likes you.” Rayce’s tone made it clear he took issue with that. “I see how he acts around you.”
“We’re just friends.” Popping her hip out to the side, she folded her arms over her breasts and grinned. “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”
Rayce grunted. “I’m not jealous.” Turning her by her shoulders, he kissed the top of her head and swatted her backside. “Go get dressed. I’ll stall your friend.”
“And make me a cup of coffee?” she asked, sticking her bottom lip out as she backed toward the hallway.
“Yes, I’ll make your liquid dessert you call coffee.”
Phoebe blew him a kiss. “Best boyfriend ever.”
Rayce had never considered himself a jealous person, but then again, he’d never had anything—or anyone—he cared about enough to want to keep to himself. Besides, he wasn’t threatened by Jonas. He just didn’t like the way the guy looked at his girl. Phoebe was his, and until she told him otherwise or sent him away, he had no plans of going anywhere. As long as Jonas understood that, Rayce would let him keep breathing.
The doorbell rang again, followed by several quick knocks that shook him out of his mental tirade. “Yeah, I’m coming.” When he opened the door, Elena shoved past him and marched into the living room. “Hello to you, too.”
“Where’s Phoebe?”
“Still getting ready. She’ll be out in a minute.” He sauntered back to the kitchen. “Coffee?”
Elena followed, but stopped on the other side of the island, eyeing the new coffee maker. “Wow, fancy.”
“Phoebe broke her old one.” He didn’t know why he was explaining himself, other than the fact that as Phoebe’s best friend, he wanted Elena to approve of him. “This is just an early birthday present.”
“I bet she wet herself over it.” Dropping onto one of the barstools, Elena laughed. “That girl has a serious love affair with coffee. I kind of hate you.”
“Excuse me?”
“I was going to get her a new coffee maker, too,” she explained. “Now, I’ll have to figure out something else.”
He might just be able to help with that. “Between you and me, I’d get her something for the El Camino. It has a new stereo in it, but I noticed it was missing the original.”
The smile that spread across her face transformed her entire being. “That’s actually a great idea. Thank you.”
Rayce nodded and rapped his knuckles against the countertop. “So, how about that coffee?”
“Nah, I’m good, but thanks.”
“I’m here.” Phoebe jogged into the kitchen, her ponytail bouncing around her face. “I’m ready.”
She’d changed into a pair of black slacks and a deep-green, long-sleeved blouse that made her eyes appear just a little brighter. Rayce detected a slight shimmer to her lips, and her eyelashes looked a little longer, a little darker, but that was the extent of her makeup application. Not that she needed it. Even before, barefaced with her hair mussed, he hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her.
“You look beautiful,” he complimented as he slid a ceramic mug across the counter to her. “Drink up.”
After thanking him, she took a few hurried sips and cleared her throat. “We might go shopping after lunch, so it could be after dark before I get back. Will you be okay here on your own?”
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, sugar. Don’t worry about me.”
“You sure?”
Gripping her chin lightly, he tilted her head up and brushed their lips together. “Go. Have fun. I’ll probably head into the office and get caught up on some paperwork. You want me to pick up dinner on the way back?”
“Wow,” Elena commented, “aren’t you two domestic?”
“That sounds good,” Phoebe answered, ignoring her friend. “Sushi?”
“Sure.” He knew by now not to ask what she wanted. She always picked the same two things, then ended up eating off his plate. “I’ll surprise you.”
Her eyes softened at the corners, and she reached up to press her palm to his cheek. “You always do.”
~ ~ ~
“Lindsey!” Phoebe exclaimed when she’d reached the table where her agent sat waiting. “It’s good to see you again.”
Lindsey Boswell had celebrated her thirty-eighth birthday just before Christmas, but she didn’t look a day over thirty. Her auburn hair was shorter than the last time Phoebe had seen her, cut into a stylish bob that brush against her jawbone, and she’d apparently traded in her wire-framed glasses for new contacts. Other than a few faint lines around her eyes, her fair skin appeared flawless, not one blemish or even a freckle.
Lindsey rose from her seat, her smile just as polished and refined as the rest of her. “Phoebe, you look wonderful.” Circling the table, she pulled Phoebe into a tight hug, then turned to Elena. “I love your hair. The highlights really suit you.”
Seated, they continued with a few more rounds of compliments before Lindsey turned to Phoebe and asked, “How’s the book coming?”
“Good. Ahead of schedule actually.”
“That’s fantastic.” Lindsey’s expression turned business-like, and she folded her hands in her lap, leaning back in her seat so she could address both her and Elena. “So, I may have had an ulterior motive for asking you to lunch today.”
Phoebe already didn’t like where the conversation was going. “Meaning?”
“There’s a book conference here in Dallas in two weeks.”
“You want us to attend,” Elena grumbled under her breath. “I’m sure registration is already closed.”
“It is, but a couple of authors dropped out last week. I was able to talk to the director and get you both registered. She’s excited to have you.”
Taking a long drink of water, Phoebe desperately tried to come up with some w
ay to get out of going. She loved meeting readers and being around like-minded people, but she knew the conference Lindsey spoke of well. There would be hundreds of people there, readers, authors, publishers, and agents from all across the country. Just thinking about that many people in one place made it hard to breathe.
“Do we have a choice?” Elena asked.
“Not really. Neither of you have attended a signing in almost a year.” With a sardonic grin, Lindsey leaned forward, placing just her fingertips on the edge of the table. “I also managed to get you on the list to co-host a dinner with readers on the first night. You’re welcome.”
Small, intimate settings like that didn’t bother Phoebe at all. She silently wondered if she could just attend the dinner and skip the rest of it. One look at Lindsey, however, told her not to even bother asking.
“Thank you, Lindsey,” she mumbled. “We’ll make you proud.”
“Good.” Clapping her hands, Lindsey rubbed them together and did a little shimmy in her chair. “Now, tell me what’s new with the two of you. Phoebe, I hear you have a new boyfriend?”
“Yes,” Elena pressed teasingly. “Do tell us about your new boyfriend.”
Thankfully, their server chose that moment to appear, and after everyone placed their orders, the conversation turned to Elena’s new house. Phoebe hadn’t seen the property yet, but it sounded wonderful—five acres with a private pond on the northeast side of Dallas.
“Have they started construction yet?” Phoebe asked.
Elena took a sip of water and bobbed her head. “Last week. They’ve already completed the frame.”
“What kind of house is it?” Lindsey asked, squeezing a slice of lemon over her own water.
“A ranch house, two bedrooms.” Elena shrugged, but her gaze turned distant. “It’s just me, so I don’t really need a big house.”
Wanting to erase the look from her friend’s face, Phoebe moved to the edge of her seat and leaned forward eagerly. “When can I see it?”
It worked. Elena laughed, moving her glass to the side when the server arrived with their food. “There’s nothing to see yet. I’ll take you to see it when there are walls. How does that sound?”
