by Sharon Kay
“Fuck, woman, your mouth feels damn good.”
“Mmm.” She reached his collarbone and started to kiss her way across.
But he yanked her up to meet his hungry mouth. She let out a squeak and braced herself with a hand on each side of his head. He took advantage and pulled her fully on top of his hard body. He grabbed her knees and shifted them down on either side of his torso, so she was straddling him.
She took over the kiss, sensing he let her. She explored his mouth, letting her tongue duel with his. His hands roamed her body, caressing her rear. He brought one palm down with a smack that echoed off the walls.
“What was that for?” She mock pouted.
“An ass this sexy has to deserve a spanking. Just because.” He grinned. “And you beat me at poker.”
She raised he head. “You didn’t check your last card!”
His hands trailed up her sides to linger at the lower curve of her breasts, drawing slow circles that stole her breath. “You won,” he whispered. “Maybe we need a rematch.”
“Mm,” she sighed, because his fingers were devilish. Her breasts were pressed snugly to his chest, but she needed more of his touch. She pushed up.
A rumble vibrated from his chest and his eyes tracked her every movement. But he kept up his slow tease, dragging his fingers back and forth across the lower swell of each breast. Not where she needed it. Desire uncurled in her belly.
“Cruz,” she whispered. Her nipples hardened as his finger skimmed closer, at her sides now. Not touching the pebbled skin that ached for him.
“Yeah?”
“You’re killing me.”
“Tell me what you want, baby.” One hand abandoned her breast and dropped to her bottom. He dipped low, between her spread legs, teasing her damp, heated flesh.
“I want to feel you everywhere,” she managed to choke out around wild need that threatened to pull her under. What was it about him that drew her so strongly? He was like a magnet. She couldn’t think about why she shouldn’t be with him. All she could process was his hands, his mouth, his incredibly hard body…she peeked over her shoulder to see his cock, fully aroused. “Cruz,” she murmured, and grabbed the hand from between her legs.
She moved it to her breast, placing it fully over her sensitive flesh. He growled and tugged her nipple between thumb and forefinger. Then he moved his thumbs slowly, rubbing her to the point of mind-numbing sensation.
But two could play at this. She scooted back until her ass bumped his rigid length. As slowly as he had teased her, she rubbed herself up and down along his hot, hard shaft, letting it slide over her pussy lips and between her cheeks.
“Rosie,” he growled in warning, and dropped his hands from her chest.
She whimpered in protest.
“Get my jeans.” He bit out.
“Jeans?” She blinked in surprise.
“Condom. Now.” His voice was a rough snarl.
Oh. She hopped off him and, in a flash, grabbed his jeans from the floor by the bed. Climbing back on the bed, she knelt beside him and handed him the denim. He pulled his wallet from one pocket and removed a foil packet. Fascinated, she watched his abs as he tore it open and leaned up to roll it on. Every part of his six-pack tensed and flexed. Lower, rigid cuts of muscle curved downward. Another place she wanted to thoroughly explore. Even the muscles under his ribs, at his sides, flexed in a way that made her want to taste.
He skimmed a hand up her stomach, bringing her out of her Cruz-induced physique fantasy. “Back where you were, pretty girl.”
Those commands, uttered with equal parts roughness and promise, sent a pulse of lust through her body. He was dominant in the best way. She straddled him again, just as she had before, letting his thickness rub against her rear.
“Baby you’re giving me all kinds of ideas.” He slid a hand to her lower back, applying pressure. “Come here.”
She leaned forward and he captured one aching nipple in his mouth. She dropped her head back on a gasp of pleasure as he sucked her deep. His tongue feathered and laved. Every nerve ending in her aching tips leapt to life. His touch was perfect, giving her relief and stoking her need to another level of no turning back. Moisture tickled her center and she rocked against his stomach, needing contact.
Move back to his big sexy cock? Or stay here and let him play with her breasts? “Cruz,” she murmured, shifting her hips. “I need you.”
He released her with a stare so hungry it nearly made her weep. “Need you too, baby. Right this damn second.”
God. Knowing he was as hot and bothered as she was—again—made her insane. She raised herself up enough to take his shaft in her hand.
He hissed as he watched her.
She guided him to her entrance and slowly lowered herself down. Her tissues were ready, thanks to the sweet and hard fucking he’d given her downstairs. How can I be so needy again? She didn’t understand. But she gave up trying to think past her name or his. He was a force of nature. One that she was fast growing addicted to, and was beyond trying to stop.
Every thick inch of him tunneled into her with blinding bliss. She let out a purr of pleasure as she got him settled balls deep. Her body was alive, on fire, and ready for him. He lay before her, all muscles and ink, with shadows both physical and emotional, and all she wanted was to drown in him.
He’d fought the things that had threatened to take him down. She couldn’t say the same. But for now, she’d steal this night, or however long he’d give her.
Leaning forward to adjust her angle, she propped her hands on the bed near his shoulders. In this position, she was in control. Sort of. She got the sense he would always be in control sexually. Or maybe she’d just do his every bidding in bed, because she knew she’d be rewarded.
He reached for her breasts and tugged her nipples. “You look so damn sexy riding my cock,” he growled.
“Mm-hmm,” she hummed, because her lips wouldn’t form actual words. He was big and warm beneath her, between her, toying with her…he was an overload of living, breathing sex. She rode him as her need built. His fingers worked her, rolling her and squeezing, giving her exactly what she needed.
She rocked faster as desire spiraled, reaching out to every place on her body that he touched. She was close…
Abruptly he grabbed her arms and pushed them behind her, tipping her off balance. She pitched forward, but he caught her with an iron grip. He held her arms behind her back, locking her in place on his chest. She blinked in confusion. “What are you—”
“I got you, baby. You’re right where you need to be. Hang on.” With a hard thrust he drove deep inside her.
She panted, adjusting as his hips slammed up into hers, hard and fast. She was crushed to him, immobile, her body his to command. He was in control. She’d had no chance.
His cock slid in and out, the thick ridges stretching her skin. She couldn’t move…and she didn’t know when she’d ever been so turned on. He held her tight and close. Her body trembled from him powering into her with such force. Every time she thought she’d slip off him, he steadied her. Her breasts brushed his chest as he plunged, over and over, harder each time.
His face was a mix of concentration and lust. A wild roughness lit his eyes and the corded muscles in his neck bunched as he had his way with her. She’d never had sex like this. Never this position, never surrendering control.
She trusted him. No matter what he said about his past, he was the kind of man she wanted to be with.
Breathing hard, he let out a growl and slammed her so hard, she felt it in her heart. She cried out as her own orgasm ripped through her. She had made this man come undone. He’d totally dominated her. Nothing had ever been hotter.
“Fuck!” he yelled as he came, pumping fast. Her legs quaked. His grip on her arms tightened as he slammed her. With one final thrust he stopped and shifted his
arms to wrap around her. Gently, he stroked her back. Then he let go.
Like a rag doll, she let her arms fall to the sheet. “Oh my god, Cruz.” She lay her head on his pec, dropping a kiss to his tattoo, and just breathed.
His chest rose and fell beneath her. “Rosie, Rosie.” His hands roamed her back, down to her butt, around to her sides, caressing and soothing. “You’re a little mix of angel and devil, you know that?”
She raised her head and brushed her lips across his. “Aren’t we all?”
“I suppose so.”
She slid to his side and threw one leg over his hips. “Well, the devil in you is gonna be the death of me. You got me riled up and tuckered out. And don’t you think I’ll ever get enough of kissin’ these tattoos.” She kissed one thick black swirled bicep.
“You keep talking to me in that sexed-up southern drawl, you’re gonna get to do whatever your pretty little heart wants.”
“Mm, I’ll remember that.” She let him pull her close. She didn’t remember feeling this incredible, either happy or fucked to the point of ready-to-pass-out bliss. This moment was one of those to hold on to forever. Never mind what the future would hold. Cruz’s arms around her were all she needed.
Chapter 18
Rosie awoke to hard rain lashing the windows and thunder booming overhead. She sat up in bed, belatedly realizing she was naked…
Cruz. Last night. Oh my god. She glanced to the side of the bed. Empty.
What?
But the windows were shut, and she distinctly remembered leaving them open to catch the cool evening breeze.
She scooted out of bed, feeling a delicious twinge south of her belly button. She closed her eyes for a second. He’d been a sexual god last night. She bit her lips just thinking about his naked muscles and the ways he’d worked her over.
A metallic clank echoed from downstairs. Her kitchen? She grabbed a baggy T-shirt that she used for pajamas, pulled on a pair of soft fleece shorts, and started to go downstairs. But first, she went to the window that faced the front yard.
There sat Cruz’s black truck, just where they’d left it last night.
She let out a sigh of relief that he hadn’t taken off while she slept, though she hadn’t thought that of him. This was just new to her, and she needed the reassurance. She ducked into her bathroom to take care of business.
Wow. Her reflection in the mirror revealed messy, knotted hair and yesterday’s mascara still on, though it wasn’t too badly smudged. A grin spread across her face at how ravished she looked—and felt. She quickly splashed water on her face and brushed her teeth.
She headed down the steps and caught a familiar smell. Breakfast?
No way.
Hurrying the rest of the way to the kitchen, she found Cruz at her stove, humming and frying sausage patties. A bowl of eggs, cracked and whisked, sat on the counter. Holy wonderful way to wake up.
“Hey, you.” She walked in, unable to hide a huge grin.
“Morning, pretty girl.” He flipped the patties over and pulled her in for a hug. “Sleep good?”
“Yes, so good.” She skimmed her hands up his arms, to the sleeves of the T-shirt he’d worn last night. Guess he had no choice. Their little sleepover wasn’t planned. “Look at you, cooking? That’s so sweet.”
“You may wanna hold that thought until you’ve tasted it.” He frowned. “I think I can handle basic eggs and sausage, but you never know.”
“Well, it smells amazing.” She let go of him and walked to the coffee pot on the counter. “You want coffee?”
“Hell, yes.” He winked. “A little country girl rode me hard last night.”
Grinning, she filled the glass pot with water and poured it into the reservoir. “Oh my god. You’re bad. I’d spank you but you’re working with a hot pan.”
He slid her a purely sinful grin. “I’ll take a rain check.”
Oh. Her tummy flipped and it had nothing to do with the meat sizzling in the pan, but had everything to do with the tall, fully dominant man before her. “You want some help with the food?” she squeaked out around the prickle of desire that sparked down her skin.
“Nope. I’m good. And if this turns out like crap, I’ll take you somewhere for a real breakfast.”
Rosie watched him flip the sausage again, thinking this was the best, most real breakfast she could ask for. “This so nice, Cruz. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And like I said, you haven’t tasted it yet.”
I know what else I haven’t tasted. God, girl, get your mind out of the gutter. What was wrong with her?
Cruz. Cruz is what was wrong, and what was too right to be true. She was stuck in a Cruz-filled orbit, and she had no desire to leave. And she was going to be stuck as long they shared the same air space. She took a breath to get a grip and leaned a hip on the counter. “I woke up to an empty bed. Then I heard a clank.”
He chuckled. “That was me searching for a pan.” He transferred the now-done sausage to a plate and turned the burner down. “And for the record, I’d never leave without sayin’ goodbye.” He covered the few feet between them and set his warm hands on her hips. “That’s not who I am.” He sifted a frizzed lock of her hair through his fingers, searching her face, and she knew he expected a reply.
She swallowed. It was easy to state things in absolute terms when you didn’t have the whole story. And life could change in a heartbeat.
“Hey,” he said softly, skimming his hands up her arms. “Please tell me you don’t think I’d—”
“No,” she said quickly. That was the last thing she wanted him to think. That anything he’d done was wrong. No, the ugliness rested with her. “I don’t think that you’d go. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“I’ll leave you a note next time,” he murmured. “Even if I’m just down here trying not to burn water.”
She smiled, because he was too perfect to exist and be standing here in her kitchen. “You don’t have to.”
He studied her with those eyes that were too perceptive. “Everything okay?”
How was he so aware of her? She forced a smile. “Yeah.”
“You get this shadow sometimes, in your eyes,” he said. “Like there’s something deep down that just hurts, or makes you sad, or just isn’t right.”
She stared at him, too shocked to speak. A hundred emotions barreled through her. How could he guess her so accurately? How could one person pick up that much…or was she that transparent? She should be happy that this one incredible man paid her that much attention.
“Um…” she blinked, drawing a blank on how to spin this. She self-admittedly had no emotional poker face.
“Maybe I should lay off this kind of talk until after breakfast,” he said. “I’m sorry.” He dropped his hands down to hold hers.
“It’s okay,” she said.
“But, Rosie.” His voice took on an edge. “Tell me if something’s bothering you. Whether it’s something I’m doing or something in the world that ticks you off. I want to know.”
“Okay.” What else could she say? How could she tell him, if the problem was within her?
Needing to redirect this conversation, she tugged him down for a kiss. His lips were soft and warm and tasted like orange juice, and she spotted his glass on the counter a second later. Next to it was a second one, unfilled.
But she needed her morning shot of caffeine, and poured coffee while he cooked up a batch of perfectly fluffy scrambled eggs. “Cream and sugar?”
“Nah. But thanks.”
Rosie added her usual ton of sugar and liberal dose of cream to her coffee, watching as he gulped a swig of the bitter liquid—completely plain. “I’ve never been able to drink it black,” she said, partly in awe and partly imagining how bad it must taste.
“And I can’t drink it with all that crap in it.” He winked and
set his mug down. In a minute, the eggs were done and he divided them onto two plates. He added the sausage and they took their seats at her tiny table.
She forked a bite of egg into her mouth.”Mmm. These are delicious!” She paused. “Did you add a pinch of sugar?”
“Damn, you’re like a taste detective. That’s what my mom taught me. I think.” He paused, fork halfway to his mouth. “I may be making that up.”
“Well, you learned well. You can make these for me again.”
He stopped, fork halfway to his mouth. “You askin’?”
God, those eyes. Like he wouldn’t take no for an answer, yet carried a hint of caution as to what she would say. “Looks like it.”
“Good, ‘cause I planned on repeating this.’ He waved a finger above the table, then stood and leaned down to her. “And this.” He hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her head up for a quick kiss.
“That sounds nice,” she murmured as his warm lips left hers, leaving them cool for a second. Amazing didn’t begin to describe him.
He lowered his tall frame into the chair. “Good.”
They ate in silence for a minute, Rosie trying to process the incredibility of Cruz making her breakfast. He was damn comfortable in the kitchen. He’d never mentioned a father, so she had to give a mental thanks to his mom or grandma.
A loud clap of thunder shook the house. The light flickered. Cruz glanced up and frowned. “That happen often?”
“No.”
“Good.” He devoured the last of his meal. “You working tonight?”
“No. Surprisingly. But I am watching Brenda’s girls today. She has to work the lunch shift.” She nibbled a bite of perfectly cooked sausage. “Hey, she’s having a party next weekend. She has one to kick off summer every year.”
“Kick off?” He arched a brow.
Rosie giggled. “Yeah, she tries to have it on Memorial Day weekend, and then ends up having it mid-June. She’s always late.”
He took a gulp of orange juice. “I’ll say.”
“Wanna go with me? I know she was your waitress when you got to the Grille that first night and all, but now you can officially meet her. And there’ll be a lot of Sundowners there.”
