Let It Ride

by Vivian Arend

  Clay had no objections. “I plan to return the favour.”

  She loosened his tie, her eyes serious as she worked the silk from around his neck. She pulled it free then dropped it on top of his jacket. He wasn’t sure what to watch—her face as she worked on the buttons of his dress shirt, or his hands as he eased them up her bare thighs under the raised portion of her dress.

  “I like your hands on me,” she admitted with a purr of pleasure.

  “I’m glad. I plan to have them there for a good long time.”

  He caught her licking her lips, and he skimmed his hands up the outside of her dress, pulling her forward as he stole in for another kiss. His shirt hung open, and the warm swells of her breasts pressed against him through her dress.

  It wasn’t enough. He wanted bare skin to bare skin, but he didn’t want to miss taking one step at a time.

  And kissing her—

  Fuck, he could do that all night.

  Still, he couldn’t resist tugging the zipper of her dress down as he seduced her with his lips. The straps on her shoulders opened wider, slipping off as the top slid away.

  “Sweet mercy, Maggie.”

  She leaned back and wiggled her arms free, and he was left with the most beautiful view—she wore nothing but silky skin from the waist up. A smooth expanse of honey-coloured skin, her nipples tight pink buttons.

  “I think my heart stopped.” Clay eased his hands up the sides of her waist until he was level with her breasts, his thumbs under the soft weight of the curves. He circled his thumbs upward and over the tight peaks, and Maggie arched into his touch, her head falling back as he played.

  “That feels so good,” she whispered. “Don’t stop. More.”

  The only way he could’ve stopped was if the house was on fire. And even then it would’ve been a tough decision.

  He alternated between cupping and fondling her, and only when her small gasps and moans forced him past the breaking point, he caught hold of her hips and lifted her. He brought her in line with his mouth then licked from the bottom curve to her nipple before closing his lips around it and sucking.

  Maggie speared her fingers through his hair as if locking him in position. She didn’t have to worry, he had no intention of going anywhere. Licking and sucking and teasing until she squirmed against him, hips riding forward instinctively as she looked for something to rub against.

  “Shh. It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ll make you feel real good.”

  She dipped her head, returning his gaze with pure, clear honesty. “I feel amazing.”

  They had only begun, and holy hell, this was what he had longed for. She was perfect. They were perfect.

  Maggie was burning up. It wasn’t about how long it had been, it was about how Clay made her feel, right here and now.

  It seemed as if there were two of him. The kind and caring man who had been her friend when that was what she needed. And this sexy, irresistible man she was taking as a lover—it was because she’d had the one that she could accept the other.

  She twisted from his grasp and off the couch so she could tug him to his feet. “Come on.”

  He followed, his fingers twined with hers as she led him down the hallway. She considered stopping at the guest room, but that wasn’t what she wanted. Turning their bedroom into some kind of shrine would have made Cameron laugh his head off. She was smiling as she carried on the final few steps into the large master bedroom.

  She whirled on Clay so she could strip away his already unbuttoned dress shirt. “My turn to drive you mad.”

  He went willingly, obligingly leaning back on the wall where she placed him, although she had the feeling he was humouring her.

  “You’ve been doing that all evening, so why should I expect you to change your game plan?”

  Maggie trailed her hand down his chest, her fingers teasing the flat disk of one nipple on the way to his abdomen. “That wasn’t all intentional.”

  His muscles flexed under her fingers. “Of course not. You accidentally kept brushing me.” He smiled at her, a sparkle in his eyes that showed he was having fun as well as getting turned on. “And you had no idea what you were doing to me while we were dancing.”

  Maggie eased her hand over the length of his erection pressing hard to the front of his dress pants. “No, that part was intentional.”

  It felt so good to touch him. To hear groans escape his lips as she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his chest.

  She took her time, tracing her fingertips over firm abdominal muscles, dragging her thumb under the edge of his belt then along the edge of his Adonis muscle.

  She caught hold of his belt and hauled one side free, lifting her lips for a kiss.

  His expression changed to one of deep frustration. Clay caught hold of her wrists. “Shit. We have to stop. You have to stop.”

  Oh, hell no. He let her go the instant she moved her hands, slipping loose the buckle and pulling the leather free easily. “Give me one good reason why we should,” she demanded.

  “Condom.” He made a face. “As in, I don’t have any.” He sat on the mattress, tugging her between his thighs. “But trust me, I’m gonna make you feel really good before I call it a night.”

  “I’m sure you will.” Maggie stroked his shoulders as she smiled down at him, loving the firm warmth under her fingertips. “But you’ll feel pretty good as well—I bought a box. They’re in my nightstand.”

  Clay pressed his forehead against her. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, kissing her skin before looking up at her with an expression that made her knees shake. “For that you get a reward.”

  Moments later she was standing in front of him, dress no longer around her hips, underwear peeled away. Naked, and ready for him to be as well.

  “Take off your clothes,” she ordered, trying to get around him to the bed.

  “No way,” Clay swept her up, pausing with her breasts pressed to his heated chest. “Eventually, but this is all about you.”

  “About us,” she insisted.

  He tumbled her to the bed and crawled over her, pinning her in place with his hands beside her head, his knees on either side of her thighs. “If you don’t think I’m going to enjoy this as much as you will, you have a few things to learn.”

  He proceeded to kiss his way down her torso, nibbling, licking and sucking as he held her hips pinned to the mattress.

  Maggie leaned up on her elbows as he pushed her thighs apart with his shoulders. He moved between them, his gaze fixed on her sex. A shiver shook her as he made contact, his fingers sliding through her folds, opening her completely.

  Clay hummed in approval. “You’re wet for me already. God. I can’t fucking wait any longer.”

  Then he put his mouth on her. An electric thrill raced through her body, tingles that shot from her core outward as he licked and sucked and used his tongue in ways that made her blood rush. Heat flashed through her as he drove her toward a rapid climax.

  He slipped his fingers into her. One, then another as he pumped slowly.

  “More,” she demanded, squirming on the spot.

  He gave it to her. Easing a third finger into her core, adding pressure against her clit with his tongue. Maggie pressed her hips toward him, wanting more, needing just a little—

  The fingers of his free hand ghosted over her breast, caught hold of a nipple and pinched.

  Lightning struck. Her body shook, her sex squeezing tight around his fingers as he paused with them deep inside her. He slowed the motions of his tongue, moving away from the most sensitive spot, but maintaining enough pressure to drag out the rocking aftershocks until she was gasping for air.

  “Stop. Stop.” She laughed as she reached down to pull him over her. Clay came willingly, and he kissed her, the taste of her pleasure on his tongue as he pressed himself over her, the heavy length of his cock centered on top of her clit.

  He rocked his hips slowly as he kissed her senseless.

  Then he nuzzled her nec
k affectionately, rolling partially off as he stroked the side of her breast as if he couldn’t stop touching her. “We don’t have to go any further,” he murmured.

  “Maybe you don’t,” she moaned in protest, “but I haven’t had nearly enough.”

  Maggie rolled, and he instinctively moved with her, and they ended up with her straddling him in the middle of her king-size bed. “I have you at my mercy, exactly where I’ve wanted you all night.”

  “Exactly where I’ve wanted to be all night.” He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Okay, fine. If you really need to ravish me, I suppose I can handle it.”

  She laughed before reluctantly crawling off him to grab a condom from the box. It had been years since she’d last used them, but she figured it was like riding a bicycle.

  When she turned back, Clay was flat on his back, his dress pants gone. A pair of boxer briefs the only thing holding back his enthusiasm. “Neat magic trick.”

  “I thought you might want to unwrap me.”

  Her cheeks were beginning to hurt from her constant smile. “So nice of you to give me a present.”

  Maggie laid the condom on his abdomen, the flash fire in his eyes warning her she was going to get everything she needed in a very short time. Then she moved back into position over him, straddling his knees so she could lean forward and rub her cheek over his cotton-clad cock.

  She got a choked gasp from him for that one.

  “I think I’ll take a peek.” She grasped the edge of the elastic waistband with two fingers, inching back to reveal his entire length. His cock was thick and hard, rising upward as he lifted his hips so she could strip away the boxers completely.

  She must’ve made some kind of needy noise because he growled at her. “I’m going to explode if you keep that up,” he warned.

  “Hush. I’m savouring the moment.”

  He picked up the condom between two fingers and offered it to her. “Work while you’re savouring.”

  Maggie opened the packet with trembling fingers and moved to place it on him, hesitating as she went to touch his cock. “I should—”

  She was on her back and under him before she could finish the sentence. Clay had the condom out of her hand and rolled down, his hips pressing between hers. “You should put your legs around my hips,” he ordered.

  She couldn’t argue with that.

  Even as she caught hold, he reached down and guided his cock to her opening, slipping the head in slightly before settling back on his elbows. Straight over her, looking into her eyes.

  Then without a word he pushed forward and joined them. Buried deep in one careful motion that stole her breath.

  He stopped, eyes closed, sheer pleasure on his face. Maggie held on and waited, her heart pumping wildly as pleasure raced through her. Having him inside her was amazing. Having him hold her as if she was precious and beautiful—

  All of it wrapped up into one incredible glow of need and desire, and she tightened around him for the joy of it.

  His eyes flew open and he moaned softly. “Dammit, Maggie, I’m on the edge already here.”

  She pressed her lips to his skin, tugging him closer. Wanting to feel his weight over her. “Take your time. I’m in no rush.”

  He nuzzled her neck, hips barely moving. Just enough to keep her anticipation high as he licked around her ear then put his teeth to the lobe and bit down softly.

  A shudder shook her. “Yes.”

  “Hmm. Sensitive ears?”

  “And my neck,” she admitted readily, stroking her hands over his shoulders. Lifting her hips as much as she could as he continued to rock into her. “And my breasts—I love when you play with them.”

  He tilted onto one elbow, gazing down their bodies to where they joined in a lazy, controlled rhythm. “Good to know. Playing with your breasts might become my favourite thing.”

  Putting action to words, Clay cupped her again, pinching her nipple lightly between thumb and forefinger. Maggie pulled one leg up and tilted her hips so he would slide deeper. It had been long enough since she’d last done this that his cock stretched hard, and a little gasp escaped.

  He froze. “Okay?”

  She nodded vigorously, reaching for his hips and tugging them forward. “Oh, yes. Don’t stop. It’s good. It’s so good.”

  Clay lay on his side and pulled her leg completely over his hip. The position left her wide open to his slow thrusts, and let him continue to caress her. At the same time he watched her face carefully, his breathing slowly becoming more erratic.

  She curled her free hand around his back and scratched lightly. “Good?”

  “Fuck, yeah,” he whispered.

  Maggie laughed softly. “Ready to go harder?”

  Sweat beaded his forehead, but he nodded as if he weren’t dying to speed up. “If you are.”

  She wrapped herself around him and tugged until she ended up flat on her back, covered with a blanket of hard, sexy masculinity as he moved into her over and over. His pace increased, his thrusts going deeper, driving harder. Maggie adjusted position so she could tilt her hips and rub against his groin on every stroke, but it wasn’t enough. “I need more pressure—”

  Clay instantly eased to the left, licked his fingers and pressed his hand between them. Another hard thrust followed, only this time his fingers slicked over her clit and she gasped.

  “Oh, yeah. Right there…”

  As he continued to move, pleasure coiled tighter, spiraling in faster and faster. He leaned down and kissed her jaw, licking his way to where her shoulder met her neck.

  He put his teeth to her skin and nipped, at the same time working her clit. Thrusting again.

  She broke. “Clay.”

  An enormous pulse rocked her body, and she arched against him. He groaned, shaking as he thrust once more, then again before he too lost control and came. His hips jerked as she tightened her legs and held him inside. Heat swirled between them as pleasure flooded her veins.

  Orgasms really were better when they were shared.

  Satisfaction crept over her like the sun rising on a warm spring day as they lay tangled together, limbs askew. Clay rolled so his weight wasn’t crushing her, his gaze roaming over her face.

  “You look far too serious for a man who’s just had an orgasm,” Maggie teased, the words escaping breathlessly.

  “Trust me, I’m plenty happy.” He slipped away briefly and took care of the condom, pulling on his briefs before eyeing the bed. “Under the covers?”

  Maggie had them pulled back in a moment, curling against his body as he resettled beside her.

  She knew they had to talk. Knew there were things they had to discuss, but right then, all she wanted was to wallow in the endorphins racing through her system.

  And she wanted to cuddle with the man who’d given her such pleasure. She let him get comfy before resting her head on his chest, one leg thrown over his, one arm around him in a hug.

  Clay stroked his fingers through her hair, his heartbeat under her ear firm and steady.

  “Just let me enjoy this for a minute, then we can talk,” she murmured, soaking in his warmth and the strength of him at her side.

  Their breathing synchronized, and the room faded. Only the sensation of being protected and cared for remained, and Maggie sighed with happiness.

  And fell sleep.

  Chapter Ten

  Clay stroked her softly, stared at the ceiling and wondered what the hell he was going to do.

  He couldn’t stay. Not without a shit-ton of consequences he didn’t think Maggie was ready for. But he couldn’t leave—didn’t want to leave.

  But then it didn’t matter what he wanted, not really. No way on earth would he be selfish enough to let her get any backlash after what had been amazing sex, fucking amazing sex, at least in his opinion.

  He waited until she was sound asleep before carefully untangling himself and stealing from the bed. Maggie rolled after him, her fingers spread over the warm spot where his body had been,
and he stared at her for a moment.

  Her eyes remained closed, the faintest hint of a smile on her lips. He pulled up the blankets and leaned in to kiss her cheek before grabbing his clothes from the floor. One soft click later and the bedside light extinguished, then he silently snuck out of the room.

  Clay dressed in the hallway—the only place he knew for certain there were no windows and that his shadow wouldn’t be seen. Then he went through the rest of the house and turned off most of the lights before pulling on his outer layers and heading out, locking the door behind him.

  It was just after midnight when he got in his truck, the outdoor light on Maggie’s house shining faintly on the trail of his footprints left in the new snow that had started when they’d left the party.

  As he drove off he noticed a curtain fall into place on one of the homes across the street, and sighed. Bloody busybodies. Hopefully they’d chalk it up to another night where he’d stayed to watch a movie.

  He certainly wasn’t ashamed to be involved with Maggie, but until they had hammered out the details he’d do anything to keep her safe.

  Only when he got home and walked into his cold, lonely bedroom a whole lot of who gives a fuck began rolling through his brain. Shit, he was smarter than this. Hell if he couldn’t have his cake and eat it too.

  Clay tossed clean clothes into a small bag and trotted back to his truck, taking the long way around to Janey and Len’s house which was a heck of a lot closer to Maggie’s.

  He parked in the back, turning off the motor as quickly as he could before climbing from behind the wheel and pacing silently up the walkway.

  A light was on in the kitchen. His brother Len stared out the window, and while Clay didn’t want to get into a lengthy discussion, he also didn’t want this to go any further. If he had to beg for help, he would.

  Yet without a word spoken, Len offered him a grin. He pressed a finger over his lips and like a kid, mimed throwing away a key.

  Len was no dummy, and he was observant. He’d obviously put two and two together without any help on Clay’s part, which was a good thing and a warning. If Len had figured it out so quickly, others would as well, and while his brother would remain silent, Clay doubted they’d get the same consideration from others in the community.