by Carew, Opal
Would she tweak the nipples so they visibly pushed against the fabric?
He sucked in a deep breath. Fuck, his imagination was running wild.
She stopped in front of him. Her sapphire eyes turned up to his.
She rested her hands on his shoulders and tipped up her face. They were close, but the difference in their heights, even with her high spike heels, left a good six inches between their lips. The scent of her apple blossom shampoo wafted through him. His body, already tight with need, ached to taste her.
She ran her hands down his lapels, then her fingertips glided over his shirt, caressing his chest. The warmth of her … the delicate feel of her touching him … set him ablaze. Then she wrapped one hand around the knot of his necktie and drew him toward her. Slowly.
His breath caught as their faces moved closer. His gaze locked on her lips, so full and pouty. He longed to feel them against his. Her tongue flicked out and glided over those full lips, making them glisten.
Oh, God, his cock swelled at the sight.
Then she stopped, their mouths a hairbreadth apart. He could feel the blood pulsing through him. A potent need settled deep in his gut. Time slowed as seconds—or was it minutes?—ticked by. All he knew was he was desperate to feel her mouth on his.
But instead of closing the distance, her tongue glided from her luscious lips and brushed his. He groaned at the delicate caress. His lips parted, and her tongue slid inside.
Oh, fuck! He pulled her against him, one arm around her waist, the other cupping the back of her head. Their lips were crushed together now, her tongue inside his mouth. She teased and flicked, driving him wild. He drove his tongue deep into her, needing to taste her.
Needing to possess her.
She whimpered, then melted into him. Her soft breasts pressed tightly against his chest, and the sharp contrast of her bead-hard nipples pushing into him drove him insane with need.
If Quinn weren’t sitting in the same room watching them—a fact Austin had to cling to with all his might—he would cup one of those soft mounds and caress it until she sighed in delight and begged him for more.
Then he’d give her what they both craved. Relieving her of the sexy sundress hiding her tempting curves, he’d bury himself in her soft, inviting body. He’d drive into her again and again, watching her face fill with blissful abandon as he took her to ecstatic heights.
His hands glided up and down her back as their mouths moved together. Her breath was erratic, and he could feel her staccato heartbeat against this chest.
Fuck, she was definitely affected as much as he was.
His cock ached, and the urge to pull her tightly to his groin and arch against her was overwhelming.
He tore his mouth from hers and stared at her. Her eyelids blinked open, and she returned his gaze, clearly unsettled by what had just happened.
“You two seemed to enjoy that,” Quinn said in a much calmer voice than Austin would have expected.
Austin pulled his gaze from April’s sweet face and turned to Quinn, expecting to see jealousy in his eyes. But instead he saw his friend staring back with a half smile on his face.
“What’s the hell’s going on?” Austin demanded. “Were you testing me? Seeing if I’d resist the temptation of kissing your woman?”
The thought angered him, even as he realized if it had been a test, he’d failed miserably.
Quinn leaned back in his chair. “April, get us all another drink.”
“Yes, sir,” she murmured, then walked to the bar.
Quinn gestured for Austin to come closer, then he leaned in.
“April insists on paying me back,” Quinn said in a lowered voice. “Knowing how much I’ve wanted her for such a long time, she made a suggestion I found very intriguing.”
“Are you telling me she agreed to have sex with you for money?” Austin said in the same hushed tone. He didn’t like the sound of that. The poor woman was in need, and he didn’t want her to prostitute herself out of desperation.
“Let’s just say that she and I will finally consummate the relationship we started so long ago … something that should have happened anyway. And when she leaves, I’ll ensure she has enough money to start again in a new town. It’s a much cheaper proposition than if I wound up married to her … and more honest.”
Austin scowled. “Fine. Whatever you want to do is between the two of you. But what the hell was the point of that kiss?”
“Well, you see, I haven’t told you the best part. She’s agreed to be with both of us. We’re going to share her.”
Austin stared at him blankly. “What?”
He glanced over his shoulder to see April pouring the last of the drinks. His gaze moved over her. Her angelic face, still flushed from their kiss. Her full breasts filling out the dress so seductively. The soft curve of her hips.
He remembered her breasts pressed tightly against him. Those soft, full lips of hers moving on his. His cock swelled. The thought of being with her—with Quinn’s blessing—sent need rocketing through him.
“This is crazy. I can’t…”
Quinn chuckled softly. “Are you sure?”
Fuck, no. That was the problem. He wanted this woman with an intensity he’d never felt before. But his head told him it was wrong. He’d be taking advantage of her.
“At least give it a chance. We’ll ease into it slowly, so no one’s uncomfortable,” Quinn suggested.
The tinkling of ice in glasses signaled April’s return. She set the three drinks on the table.
“Come over here, baby,” Quinn said.
She walked to his chair and stood beside it.
“How did you feel when Austin was kissing you?” Quinn asked. “Were you getting turned on?”
Austin watched closely as she bit her lip. She had to know how turned on she’d made him. His cock had hardened and pushed against her belly. And he knew it had affected her, too.
“Yes,” she murmured softly, gazing down at her hands.
“Good,” Quinn responded. “I told Austin about our deal, and he’s on board.”
She glanced at Austin, her cheeks blazing with color, and Austin couldn’t help but wonder why she’d agreed to the threesome part of the deal. Of course, Quinn could be very persuasive when he wanted something and may have given her little choice.
But still … she’d admitted that the kiss between them had turned her on. His cock twitched.
Fuck, he was so turned on now he could barely think straight.
“Shall we continue the game?” Quinn asked, and Austin hesitated, wondering if grabbing April’s hand and dragging her back to the suite was an option.
He drew in a deep breath. But Quinn was in charge of this deal, so Austin would settle back and finish the game.
April walked to her chair and sat down again. Austin dealt out the cards, and April won. Then she won the next hand, too. He couldn’t help but smile when her eyes lit up and she pulled the chips toward her. She was obviously inexperienced at poker and feeling out of her depth playing with him and Quinn.
Quinn dealt this time. Austin had three queens, but Quinn beat him with a flush.
Austin was filled with a mix of apprehension and excitement. What was Quinn going to have April do?
Quinn’s gaze locked on Austin’s, then a slow smile spread across his face. He pulled out a pen and one of the small black notebooks he always carried from his jacket pocket and jotted something down. He tore out the page and slid it across the table to April.
April read it, then her gaze flickered to Austin’s and back to the paper. She nodded, then stood up and disappeared through a door inside the suite. Austin raised an eyebrow at Quinn.
“Don’t worry. She won’t be long,” Quinn said, his lips still turned up in a grin.
April returned to the room and walked straight to Austin.
“Hold out your hand, please,” she requested demurely.
He held it out as if ready to take her hand, not sure what she had in mind.
He complied, and she placed her closed fist on his hand. The brush of her soft skin sent awareness prickling along his arm. She pressed something against his palm, then with her other hand urged his fingers to close around it.
Whatever she’d given him was soft and warm. She stepped back and walked toward her chair. He opened his hand and looked down at her gift.
He saw a small bunched-up ball of coral lace and thin black ribbon.
Fuck, it was her panties. Still warm from her body.
That meant she wasn’t wearing anything under that flowing skirt.
His cock surged to life again. He couldn’t help watching her as she rounded the table to sit down again. Watching the sway of her hips, imagining her naked ass under the fabric. When she sat down, he couldn’t stop thinking of her naked pussy with only the thin cotton of her dress between her and the chair.
He sipped his drink, then picked up the cards and dealt them.
As they continued playing, every time she moved, shifting or leaning forward to toss in a chip, his groin tightened at the thought of her naked pussy moving on the chair.
10
Quinn could tell this was having the intended effect on Austin. This would push things up a notch. Austin’s gaze had been glued to April’s ass as she walked back to her chair. Probably imagining her sweet pussy.
Quinn’s gaze shifted to her, and his cock tightened at the thought of her naked pussy under that flowing sundress.
April won again, probably because both he and Austin were more than a little distracted. It was her turn to deal, but as she reached for the deck, Quinn decided to push things a little more.
“April, I think I’d like something to eat. Would you bring us a plate of sandwiches?”
“Yes, of course.” She put down the cards and stood up, then walked to the table with the food.
Quinn was aware of Austin watching her, but that didn’t steal his own focus, especially as he imagined her thighs brushing together as she walked. Her pussy cozy between the warmth of those thighs. Maybe it was even getting wet.
She picked up a dinner plate and placed a collection of the tiny sandwiches on it. She added some crackers and cheese, then turned and walked back to the table. Quinn’s cock was growing as he stared at her skirt, wishing he could see through the flowing cotton fabric to her intimate flesh below.
He shifted in his chair, adjusting his straining cock.
As she stood beside him to place the plate on the center of the table, he wanted to pull her onto his lap and glide his hand up her thigh, then under her skirt. To seek out that warm, velvety place he’d yearned to touch for so long.
She started to walk away.
“Baby, come here.”
When she came to him, he pulled her onto his lap and his arms slid around her.
The feel of her warm body in his arms was driving him crazy with need. She shifted on his lap, and his cock lurched. Fuck, there was almost nothing between her naked pussy and his cock.
“Why don’t you feed me one of those sandwiches?”
“Yes, sir.”
She picked one up and brought it to his lips. He opened, and she delicately pressed it into his mouth, her fingers brushing his lips. He had to stop himself from nibbling her fingers as he closed his mouth around it. He watched her with a smile as he chewed and swallowed it. Smoked salmon. He was sure she’d chosen that one because she knew he liked it.
Because she wanted to make him happy.
Hunger blazed through him, but not for another sandwich.
Fuck, he had to get himself under control.
Once back in her chair, April picked up the deck and dealt. During the betting, Austin tossed in chips with confidence. Quinn was sure that Austin was not only confident he’d win but was looking forward to it. Good. Maybe he’d make an interesting move with April.
The thought that his friend might order April to do something sexual, that Austin might touch her intimately or have her pleasure him in some way, had Quinn’s heart pounding. He could imagine Austin holding her close, his hand freely exploring her breast, then gliding down her hip and tugging up her skirt. A pang of jealousy seared through him at the same time as a blaze of excitement made his cock throb.
Austin raked in his winnings with a huge smile on his face, and Quinn realized he’d zoned out. He picked up his drink and took a sip while his gaze turned to Quinn.
“April,” Austin said, “I want you to kiss Quinn. But not just a kiss. I want you to reenact that first kiss you told us about.”
Quinn’s stomach clenched. Damn, Austin. He must have figured out that Quinn was the one she’d been talking about.
Fuck, he didn’t want to be reminded of what it was like to kiss her back then. When their budding relationship was full of such promise.
When he’d already known he was well on his way to falling in love.
April stood up and moved a few feet from the table. She didn’t look at him as he stood and approached her. He took April’s hand, trying to ignore the tingles of awareness dancing through him at the feel of her soft fingers curled in his.
“You said you were walking through the park with this man?” Quinn asked.
“Yes,” she murmured.
He drew her farther across the room to give them space to set the stage, then he started to walk, her falling into stride beside him.
He remembered the sound of the amber leaves crunching underfoot as they’d walked along the paved path. The smoky smell of wood burning in fireplaces wafting from chimneys on the houses surrounding the park. A nostalgia settled deep in his belly, along with a craving he remembered all too well.
After a few steps, he stopped, and she turned and gazed up at him. He drew her close, just like he had on that crisp fall evening. When he looked into her eyes, he was overwhelmed by the same feelings he’d had that night.
He’d met this sweet, wonderful woman at a party and been enchanted by her. She was in several of his classes, and he’d already developed a crush on her, but it had no foundation other than her alluring yet understated beauty. He’d made a point of meeting her at the party and found her to be a little shy, but intelligent and sweet-natured.
The last thought before his lips brushed hers was that this was dangerous territory, and he resolved to stay immune to her. But when their lips met, all constraint flickered away. She was so soft and warm in his arms. His heart pounded in his chest as adrenaline rushed through him, making him feel almost giddy.
Her arms came around his neck, and her lips pressed tighter to his. He slid his hand down her back and drew her closer. She sighed against his mouth as he deepened the kiss.
He breathed her in. She smelled like apple blossoms and vanilla. He stroked her face and threaded his fingers through her silken hair. His tongue nudged her lips, and she opened for him, allowing him to sweep his tongue inside her mouth.
He plunged deep, stroking his tongue over hers. She whimpered softly, melting against him.
Oh, God, he was going to lose himself in her. This was too sweet. This is what he wanted so badly.
Slowly, he drew back, forcing himself to pull away. His groin was tight and his cock hard, but worse, his heart ached in need.
Damn, he was still in fucking love with this woman.
He didn’t want to be. He knew how incredibly foolhardy it was. But he had no control over his heart.
He did, however, have control over his head.
He walked back to his chair and tossed back his drink, then grabbed his jacket.
“I have to check on something,” he said, then strode from the room.
* * *
Austin stared at the door. Well, that hadn’t worked out quite the way he’d hoped.
April still stood in a daze, staring after Quinn. Austin stood up and walked to her side.
“Do you think we should go after him?” she asked.
“No, he’ll work it out. How about you? Are you d
oing okay?”
She glanced his way. “Yes, of course.”
He smiled, not believing her. That kiss had rocked both of them.
“Good.” He nudged his head toward the sitting area. “Why don’t we sit down and relax until he comes back?”
“Sure.” She walked to the couch while he poured them both another drink, then settled down beside her.
He swirled his drink, watching her. “It was Quinn, wasn’t it? The first man who kissed you?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“So tell me about your relationship with Quinn back then.”
She turned her gaze to him, her lips pursed. “You ask a lot of questions, Austin.”
Austin grinned. “Yeah, I know. It’s my most endearing quality.”
She laughed, but even though he’d been joking, he knew that to her it probably was. She wasn’t used to people taking an interest in her.
“But I hope you’ll answer,” he continued. “Quinn’s my best friend, and I want to understand.”
She sighed and kicked off her shoes, then curled her legs beside her on the couch. Unfortunately, the move reminded him of her lack of panties.
The arousal that had been raging through him ever since Quinn had told him about this special arrangement had finally settled to a slow simmer, but now it flared back to life again. His cock strained uncomfortably in his pants.
He urged his body to relax.
“What do you want to know?” she asked.
He wanted to know what it would feel like to stroke his hand along her soft thigh … then up under her skirt …
Calm down, man.
“What was it like when you were with him?”
“It was … wonderful. Quinn really saw me. Really listened to me. I was important to him, and that made me feel important.”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “You are important, April.”
Her lips pursed, and she nodded. “That’s very nice of you to say. It’s what we always say.”
Her gaze turned to his, and the depth of pain in her shimmering blue eyes tore at his heart.
“But when you don’t feel it inside yourself, it doesn’t matter how much someone tells you it’s true. When everyone in your life who is supposed to care has abandoned you without a thought, it’s hard to believe otherwise.”
