“Oh yes, this is the most exhilarating thing that I experienced in a long time.”
“Hey! We made love not too long ago and I think that was the most exhilarating thing in your life.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth,” she said in a prim voice.
He tapped his foot on the pavement. He was a little piqued, to be honest. She was rating it above her time with him. “So do you want to ride this to the restaurant or should I call for a cab?”
She eyed the bike with lust in her eyes. He could practically see the wheels turn in her mind. “Can I drive it?”
“Do pigs fly?”
“Come on. Just for five minutes. I think I can do it. It doesn’t look that difficult.”
He laughed, patted her on the shoulder, and got back on the bike. “Listen sweetheart, I would be willing to give you lesson on this someday, but not now. Let’s get this show on the road.”
“Spoilsport,” she muttered. Gripping his waist, she leaned closer. He could feel her breasts pressing into his hard back. “I am ready.”
Oh, how he longed to take her back to his apartment and make love to her. A woman like her was made for his hands. He could imagine the way her body would buckle and jerk under his fingers. Images flashed across his mind: her body under his, his lips on her creamy skin, their limbs entwined together. But he’d promised her a meal, and that’s exactly what she would get.
He drove the bike into the street and headed for Mayhem, the restaurant where he’d reserved a table. It would be nice to sit across her and share a meal. Everything he did with her was exciting.
When they reached the restaurant, he put the helmet on the bike and helped her take off hers.
Her hair, glorious and long, spilled out. He desired to run his fingers through their soft, silky locks and crush his lips on hers, but he made an effort to step away. He was acutely aware that the desire curled in his eyes was visible to her, but she didn’t make a comment. Instead, she held his arm and walked with him to the restaurant.
After they were seated and placed their order, he leaned back and surveyed her. Her cheeks were flushed and her pupils were a little dilated. He longed to believe that it was because of his close presence, but he was wise enough to know that she was still experiencing a high from her first bike ride. It wasn’t often that women fell in love with speed and bikes, but when one did, it was sexy as hell to see.
“So what’s your favorite color?”
“What?”
“Hey, we’ve got to start the conversation somewhere.”
She raised an eyebrow as if he spouted horns. “And that’s the best you could come up with?”
“Why don’t you start with something, then?” he challenged.
She folded her arms on the table. “All right, then. Let me begin with a more intelligent and relevant question; where did you grow up?”
“In a farm on Minnesota. My parents owned it, and still do, and I was one of five boys.”
“Five boys? Your mother must be a saint to raise five kids and survive.”
He winked at her. “She didn’t just survive; she thrived. But actually, she wanted a daughter and, finally, after baby number five, my father put his foot down.”
She shook her head. The waiter came forward to serve their appetizers. Riley picked up a Polenta square that was topped with pine nuts .
“I can’t even imagine the chaos that must have been your house. I was an only child.”
“Ah! That explains a lot.” When she raised her eyebrows, he smirked. “I didn’t miss the matching towels, the perfectly aligned picture frames, and the ruthless organization of your bathroom when I was there, sweetheart.”
“That’s not because I was an only child.” She shrugged. “It’s a basic requirement of any efficient, well-organized person.”
“Hey, I am efficient and organized, but my pillows are never aligned in a straight line.”
She drank a little bit wine as she surveyed him over the rim. “I hope you don’t really expect me to apologize for it.”
“Not at all, sweetheart. It turned me on, that’s all.”
“You really are a piece of work, aren’t you? So tell me what you all did on the farm when you were growing up? Chores? Milking the cows, minding the horses that sort of thing?” She waved a hand. “I’ve never been to an actual farm.”
“I will take you one day,” he promised.
What the hell was he saying? Did he imagine that they would last long enough for him to take her to meet his parents? It was such a ridiculous thought and such an unplanned declaration that he was stunned by his own words. It was obvious that she was as astonished by his statement. For a moment, silence reigned on the table.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
What was her question? With an effort, he pulled his mind back into a coherent whole. “Oh yes, chores. Of course, we had to do them. It wasn’t only milking the cows and walking the horses, but also shearing the sheep and collecting eggs from the hens. That was the first task that each child got. The youngest was supposed to collect the eggs in the morning. Then we were graduated to other tasks.”
“It shouldn't have been that difficult. All you have to do is pick up the eggs.”
Riley swallowed a laugh. He could almost read her thoughts. “I am sure you’re imagining walking into a coop on your designer heels, but trust me, sweetheart... the reality is a far cry from that. Instead of that image, imagine walking into a smelly, shit-ridden coop, wearing your oldest boots, trying to either roost the hens to check for eggs or else looking in nooks and corners to hide the ones that they didn’t bother to lay in their nests. And, of course, some of the cranky ones don’t mind giving you a peck or two while you are rummaging underneath them to find eggs.”
She winkled her nose. “That doesn’t sound delightful at all.”
“It isn’t.” He thought back to his time at the farm. “But, of course, I loved every minute of it. My parents are kind of bohemian. They let us do a lot of things, run wild, as long as we did our chores and homework. There was great freedom and, yet, we were kept on a short leash.”
“I can see that you have fond memories.”
“Oh yes.”
He could actually imagine taking her to see his parents. Sure, she wouldn’t be comfortable at first because she was a city girl at heart, but he sensed that once she got over her initial shock, she would enjoy it. Already he could feel that she was an adaptable and friendly girl once someone managed to pierce through the hard shell that she donned when she was at work.
He would love to be the one who got to see the soft side of her. It would be a true delight. As they talked and shared a meal, Riley discovered that she liked to talk. Her wit was sharp and sardonic, and she could crack a joke as well as him. It was actually quite interesting to allow her to take over the conversation. Her interests were varied and strong. If they actually ended up going out for a long time, he was certainly never to get bored.
The thought froze in his mind. Was he already contemplating a future with her? It was so long since he found a woman as interesting as her and, now that he was with her, he didn’t want to let her go. Crazy it was. But at the same time, it was heady and exhilarating to feel like this. Only time would tell as to where this led, but for now, he was enjoying the way it all worked out. It was fun. It was mad. It was exciting. There was nothing else that he wanted. For now, this was enough.
Chapter Six
Tania was amazed that she could lower her guard so much with a man. It wasn’t work anymore. Now, this was personal, and she didn’t quite know what to make of it. He was a great guy. If she set aside their war over the warehouse, it was easy to see that they were a good fit together. Their interests matched. They liked each other on a primal level. And their sexual chemistry was mind-blowing. What else could she want from a relationship?
Relationship? What the hell was she thinking about? This was only their second date. It was too soon to think about the f
uture, but, yet, her heart beat with desire. It wasn’t enough to sleep with him. She wanted more. Dare she take the plunge?
As he dropped her home on the bike, she was still pondering over their next move. When he parked the car inside her gate, she took off her helmet and set foot on the ground. Handing over the helmet, she viewed him. “Would you like to come inside?” Until she said the words, she didn’t know that she meant to say them.
The gleam that coiled in his eyes told her his answer long before he got off the bike. He set the two helmets down. “Sure.”
Digging into her purse, she took out the keys. What had she done? This was madness. It was crazy to think that she could have a normal relationship with a man like him. Sure, they had many things in common, but, at the same time, he was the enemy. He was fighting to acquire the same thing she wanted. They were battling with each other. She couldn’t think, couldn’t plan.
As soon as the door closed behind them, he drew her in his arms. When his head bent and his lips brushed against her, she stopped thinking. This was what she wanted. It was glorious to feel his arms tighten around her. The kiss was soft, slow, and delicious. When his tongue brushed over her lips, she opened her mouth and allowed him to deepen the kiss. He explored each nook and cranny of her mouth, plundering and looting at will.
Maybe it was time to put a stop to this, but she didn’t want to. Instead, she allowed him to carry her.
Since he was already familiar with her house, he carried her straight into the bedroom. Laying her down on the bed, he took off her shoes. Astounded, she watched as he set them aside. What did he have in mind? His intention became clear when his fingers glided up her legs and he peeled off her stockings. It was an erotic, exotic move and the thrill of excitement that set her body on fire was as much desire as need.
With care, he removed her dress, and then his fingers glided behind her back to take off her bra. Her heavy, firm mounds slipped out and even though his eyes glazed over at the sight, he ran his hands down her body and slipped his fingers into the straps of her panties. Gently, taking his time, he took them off and threw them aside. Now she was naked and spread out before him like a bouquet of delight.
She wanted to return the favor but he fiddled with the buttons of his shirt and took it off before she could move. Tania sat back to enjoy the show. His trousers came off, as did his boxers. Her gaze traveled down his lean, washboard abs to his cock that was nestled between his thighs. The sight of it sent spasms of pleasure straight through her pussy. Moisture leaked down her thighs and, without really meaning to, she rubbed her legs together. The gleam in his eyes told her that he didn’t miss that gesture.
Slowly, he joined her on the bed. His lips descended on hers again. The kiss was hot and fast. It turned her insides into jelly. When his hands clamped on hers and held her prisoner, she didn’t resist. Instead, she enjoyed the attention. It was heady, exciting. His tongue dove into her mouth and tasted her sweet recess. The dance was erotic and she loved each moment of it. When his lips nibbled down her throat and latched on to her hard nipple, her body jerked in response, but he held her in such a firm grip that she couldn’t shift away. What had she gotten into?
Exhilarating as it was, it was also a little scary to have such intense feelings about a man she barely knew. Now that she had come this far, it was impossible to turn back. Tania lay back and enjoyed the way his mouth moved from one breast to another. He took his time paying homage to both her breasts. Her nipples swelled and hardened. She writhed under him, unable to bear the exquisite torture anymore. When his tongue licked the underside of her breasts, she shivered. Slowly he moved down, tasting the salt off her skin on her stomach and then down until he reached the mass of curls.
Letting go of her hands, he put his fingers on her thighs and had her to open for him. He inhaled deeply as if he were relishing the scent of her arousal. When his tongue brushed over her clit, the wave of pleasure that speared through her body was intense enough to make her sweat. She buckled and moaned, but he continued his gentle assault. His tongue flicked over the lips of her pussy, tasting, enjoying, until finally he pushed it inside her. She opened for him.
Now, she was a mass of shuddering, trembling muscles. It was no longer possible for her to concentrate on anything other than what he did to her. Her hands clenched the bed sheets and twisted them while she allowed him to have his way with her. He licked and fondled, caressed and massaged her clit until it throbbed wildly. The orgasm that burst through her made her cry. He moved up her body, rested his hand on her stomach, and watched her face intently while she struggled to get her breath back together.
What the hell just happened? No man ever managed to reduce her to this state with such ease. He had the hands of a magician. Determined to give back, she crawled over him. She kissed him hard on the mouth and, when he was lost in the frenzy of the passion that overtook them, she slithered down his body. Her tongue flicked over his skin until finally she nestled between his legs. His cock, hard and beautiful, sprang up straight. Bending her head, she licked the tip of his head and was rewarded with a few drops of his precious nectar. As she twisted her tongue over his balls, he growled deep in his throat. His fingers tightened in her hair and held on as if he couldn’t bear to let go. She took her time, using her hands and mouth to bring him into bliss.
The scent of his musky arousal swept through her nostrils. Delicately, she nibbled on the skin of his balls and on his thighs while he squirmed under her. It was exciting to rest back some of the control that he’d wielded on her. With care, she took him deep in her mouth and relished the way his cock throbbed in her.
“Tania,” he breathed out her name. “Please.”
His fingers dug deep into her scalp as she drove him to the edge of insanity. His sexy, gorgeous body was all hers – and she wasn’t about to let it go.
Just as she thought he was on the verge of exploding in her mouth, he rolled her off him with a hard yank. Even before she knew what was happening, he positioned her under him and drove his cock, slick and hard, straight into her pussy. The loud squeal that issued out of her lips echoed in the room. Her arms tightened around him as she struggled to take deep breaths. Lust, hot and heavy, enveloped her mind.
They were joined together, hands to hands, hips to hips, and toes to toes. He moved up, pulled out his cock, and buried it deep in her body once more. His pelvic bone ground into hers. He set the pace, grueling and hard, and she matched it. Their rhythm was perfectly in tune. Together, they moved as if their bodies were one.
When the orgasm spiraled inside her, she yelled loudly. A minute later, he came inside her. Even though he could have collapsed on top of her, he put his weight on his elbows and hovered over her. His kiss took her by surprise. Their lips met and he seemed to take his time. Finally, he rolled off her. For a moment, she felt bereft.
“Sweetheart, you’re going to drive me crazy.”
“I could say the same thing about you.”
She got up, gathered her clothes, and went into the bathroom. Now that she was here, she might as well take a shower. Actually, she just wanted some time to herself to worry about this sudden development. What the hell was she supposed to do about this man? He was too much. It wasn’t just their sexual chemistry that drove her wild but also the fact that he was her match in every sense of the word. He could make her laugh, he could make her experience the height of pleasure, and he could make her feel safe and warm.
And yet, if he had that ability, he could also make her cry and relegate her to the pits of misery. In all these years, she had never given control to another man. The mere thought of that was disturbing, scary. How the hell did she manage to put herself in this situation? She should’ve been more careful, better prepared.
Now, she could do only one thing. It was better to tell him to move on. She wasn’t interested in a long-term relationship, and surely he wasn’t, too. Then why prolong this more. It was better to end now when they were both sated and happy. It was t
ime to put their relationship back on the professional keel. That would be best.
After she dried her hair and put moisturizing lotion on her face, Tania took a deep breath. She was going to march out, tell him that it was amazing to be with him, but now she wanted her own space. Hopefully he would get the message and walk out of her life. She wouldn’t see him ever again or, perhaps, would just meet him in order to settle the feud over the warehouse. In either case, she didn’t intend to do anything more personal with him. This was enough.
Her mind made up, she yanked open the door. The sight of him, nestled in her bed, with the covers around him, made her halt. He was sleeping. She couldn’t believe it. When did she invite him to stay the night? What the hell was he thinking? This was way too personal, too awkward. She didn’t want him.
Before she could wake him up, her cellphone rang. Seeing that it was her boss, she frowned. He never called so late. She picked up the phone. “Hello, sir.”
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