Covet the Curves: a Romance Collections Anthology

by Morgan, Nicole

  He held the dildo in his hand, sizing it up. “You mean you couldn’t get off?”

  She nodded.

  “We’ll play with that later.” He sat it back with the others and grabbed a bottle of oil. “Lose the sheets and turn over.”

  A shrill of excitement coursed through Zoie’s veins as she watched Duncan pop the top of the relaxing massage oil and take a sniff. He was really going to give her a massage, she decided, following his instructions. Though doubts filled her mind, Duncan’s confidence and sense of promise left Zoie smiling as she lay on her stomach, totally in the buff, on the bed.

  “Now, spread your legs.” His hand wrapped around the thigh closest to him and pulled.

  She heard him move behind her and then felt his fingers sliding up the back of her thigh. Zoie sucked in a breath when his lips pressed against the small of her back. Duncan used his mouth to tease her. His tongue traced the curve of her spine, his lips kissing, nibbling. Zoie squirmed beneath him, surprised he could get her body hot again so soon.

  “Why did you have me pick a number?” Zoie asked, looking over her shoulder at him.

  He looked up, shaking his head. “Relax. There’s no need to be nervous.”

  He sat back on his heels and tipped the bottle of oil upside down. The scent of strawberries floated in the air around them. The thick liquid oozed over her back and down her thighs, all the way to her feet. Zoie closed her eyes, anticipating his touch. He picked up a foot and pressed his thumbs into her arches, rubbing lightly in circles. She groaned, and he switched to the other foot, repeating his motions, using his knuckles.

  “Most women are ticklish on the bottoms of their feet.” His hands moved higher to her calves, rubbing the oil there into her skin.

  “I’m not ticklish.” Zoie grabbed a pillow and relaxed against it.

  The massage continued with each thigh, each butt cheek. Then his hands were on her back. He spread her legs and came between them. Her body was slicked from neck to feet. He pushed outward from her spine, and the tension dissipated. When her body was limp, he bend down and pressed his lips to her spine.

  “Which toy do you want to try first?”

  Zoie turned so that she could see the display of items she brought. Edible creams. Clitoral vibrators. Cock Rings. Dildos. A blindfold. Zoie trembled at the possibilities. What did he have in mind for tonight?

  “Uh, I don’t know.” Zoie casually picked at the collection, blushing when she plucked up some flavored condoms.

  Duncan reached past her and picked up the cock ring. “Do you know if the toys came with batteries?”

  Zoie shrugged. “I never checked.”

  He shook his head and flipped the toy on. It buzzed to life in his hand. Zoie watched over her shoulder as Duncan slid the tight ring on his cock. “Damn.”

  Zoie watched him close his eyes, nothing but the look of pleasure crossing his face. She smiled. His erection renewed; the silly-looking toy humming softly in the otherwise silent room. “Feel good?”

  “Too awesome to describe.” He shifted slightly and grabbed the flavored condom she had. “Roll over, baby.”

  Zoie did as he asked, knowing her sheets would be ruined by the massage oil on her back. He shifted her legs slightly, pushing them to her chest as he brushed the tip of his cock against her. The vibrations from the ring pulsated down his cock as he teased her. She spread her legs and dropped them, a blatant invitation for him to take her.

  “Do you like it?” He rubbed his cock the entire length of her slit. “I can only imagine what it would feel like when I’m inside you. Do you want that, baby? Do you want a real, vibrating dick inside you or do you want the blue silicone toy?”

  Zoie gasped when he pushed himself inside her. Her limited experience with sex and toys didn’t begin to compare to the way Duncan set her body on fire. Every nerve ending in her pussy pulsed alive as his slick cock brushed against it. The vibrating ring pressed against her clit when he seated himself fully inside her.

  “Oh, Duncan,” she bit her lip as her orgasm neared.

  “Good, right?” He pulled back and pushed in again, starting a rhythm that satisfied them both. “You should see your face. I love your expression of raw pleasure. You’re so beautiful when you let your guard down.”

  Zoie couldn’t think about what he was muttering. Her mind shut off, her body totally in tune with the sensations he created. His hands gripped her hips as his thrusts came harder. The ring bumped her clit with each thrust, and Zoie couldn’t hold back the gasps of pleasure. She didn’t want to.

  “Duncan… Oh, God, Duncan…” She clutched at the sheets while her pussy contracted around Duncan’s cock.

  “Again, baby. Come again.” He slowed his motions, teasing her sensitized clit with the vibrator as he swiveled his hips.

  She shrieked with pleasure, clasping his body between her legs as she came again. Sweat slicked her body. Duncan leaned forward, his tongue darting out to lick her stiff nipple. He was living up to her challenge, all right. Zoie gasped for breath.

  “You’re so damn responsive.” He grinned at her and then leaned forward for her kiss. He came with a groan of pleasure and collapsed to her side. He disposed of the condom and rid himself of the ring before turning back to her. “You’re also pretty amazing.”

  She chuckled, her eyelids droopy. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  He grinned and pulled her to him. “Not what I meant, but that too.”

  They lay together, Zoie’s body curled against Duncan with his arm around her waist. She didn’t want to move for fear of ruining the moment. He was nothing like she expected and everything that she wanted. It was surreal.

  “Now tell me why you had me pick a number?” she asked.

  His fingers brushed against her cheek, skimming the line of her jaw until he reached her well-kissed lips. “I needed to know how many orgasms to give you before the sun comes up.”

  He leaned down for a kiss. Zoie couldn’t wait to see if he was going to be able to keep his promise.

  Chapter Nine

  “Zoie, the donor’s here.”

  “Mom, please,” Zoie grumbled as she made her way down the aisle of the store.

  She’d just finished straightening the shelves for her parents. Thankfully her mother remained silent as she made her way to the counter. She offered Duncan an apologetic look. He winked in response.

  It’d been three weeks since he’d returned to town. Two since her parents had. She’d be forever grateful that she’d taken the bullets out of the shotgun before they were due back at the house. The moment Duncan had stepped over the threshold her father had gone for gun.

  Things were still tense and Zoie didn’t know how much longer she could take it. Duncan was a good sport about it, but it had to be exasperating for him as well.

  She took off the store apron and hung it up on the rack before leaning over to kiss her mother on the cheek. “Karson and I will see you guys later.”

  “Okay, dear. Be safe.”

  She didn’t miss the glare her mother shot Duncan’s way. Figuring she needed to get him out of harm’s way, Zoie rushed over to him.

  “I’m ready if you are.”

  He leaned down and placed a brief kiss on her lips. Zoie didn’t miss the sound of her mothers’ huff.

  “I am now,” he said with a grin.

  As soon as they were out the front door, Zoie shook her head. “I don’t know why the two of you insist on antagonizing each other.”

  “Because that’s always been the way of our relationship. Your mother has never liked me. Unfortunately, I messed up and gave her even more not to. I hurt her daughter and now I have to make up for that.” He opened the passenger door of his truck and helped her inside before going around to climb in on the driver’s side. “I know I if I had a daughter there would be hell to pay if someone hurt her. I just hate that I didn’t think about that when it came to you.”

  Zoie remained silent as his words registered in her br
ain. He’d given her so much to think about since he’d returned to town that sometimes she struggled to keep it straight. More importantly his actions appeared to be that of a man who truly was ready to put down roots. Part of her was thrilled, but a larger part was frightened. He was giving her a reason to hope again. Just like he had the last time they were together. Her thoughts were interrupted as they pulled up to the daycare center.

  “I’ll be right back,” he said

  She watched as he walked up to the entrance and disappeared inside. A few moments he later he returned the truck with Karson in his arms.

  “Mommy,” he shrieked as soon as back door opened.

  She turned to look at him. “Hey baby. Did you have a good today?”

  He nodded. “Yes. We learned about tigers, snakes and cows.”

  “That’s good. Did you work on your numbers today?”

  “Uh-huh. We did our letters, too.”

  She chatted with their son as Duncan drove. When she realized they were heading into Tucson, she looked over at him.

  “Where are we going?” she asked. “I thought you said we were going to an early dinner?”

  “It’s a surprise,” he replied. “I have one stop to make and then we’ll get something to eat.”

  After that it became hard to focus on the conversation with Karson, but she did her best. A short time later they pulled to a stop in front a small office building. Her eyes widened when she saw the name on the outside.

  “What is this, Duncan?”

  He looked over at her. “We have a meeting today to look at floorplans for homes. I plan to break ground soon.”

  “You don’t need me here for this,” she said.

  “Of course I do. I’m serious about making this work between us. The last I want is for you to be is in a home that you don’t like the design of.”

  Shock left her momentarily speechless. He really was planning a future for them. He meant what he said this time.

  “Let’s go. We don’t want to be late.”

  He climbed out of the truck before going to the back and removing Karson from his car seat. That prodded her into action. Her feet had just hit the ground when they appeared by her side. Duncan took her free hand in his and led the way inside.

  The next hour was a blur. She was shown floor plans and ideas that she could barely recall. The only thing she’d done was nodded and agreed when she thought she should. Her mind was racing a mile a minute.

  “Zoie, what would you like to eat?”

  She stared at Duncan while processing the question. “It doesn’t matter. As long as they have chicken tenders or a burger on the menu for Karson.”

  A few minutes later they pulled up to a casual dining restaurant. After they were seated, she distracted herself by studying the menu. Once she’d made her decision she put the menu down only to find Duncan staring intently at her.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Not really,” she answered honestly. “We need to talk, but later.”

  Somehow she managed to make it through dinner. The drive home was tortuous though. They finally pulled up in front of her parents’ home.

  “How about we talk tomorrow?” he suggested. “It’s late and I know you have to put Karson to bed and get ready for the work day.”

  “No, I think we really need to have this conversation tonight,” she said. “Give me about an hour and I’ll call you. I’ll meet you at the ranch if you want.”

  “No. I don’t want you to have to leave Karson with your parents. I’ll come back here. Just call me when you’re ready.”

  “Okay,” she said before reaching for her purse.

  Duncan gathered up the sleeping Karson and his daycare bag, while she made her way up to the front porch. It didn’t escape her how quickly they’d fallen into a routine. She unlocked the door and allowed him to go ahead of her. To her relief, both of her parents appeared to already be in bed.

  Duncan continued down the hall toward Karson’s bedroom and placed him on his bed. “I’ll see you shortly,” he whispered before placing a kiss on her forehead.

  “Okay,” she replied distractedly, already focused on her difficult task at hand.

  First, she had to undress and bathe a toddler without waking him. Then she had to have a difficult conversation that she wasn’t ready to have. It was doing to be a long night.

  Chapter Ten

  Duncan watched as Zoie clutched the child monitor in her hand as she made her way to his truck. There was a little chill in the night air so sitting outside wasn’t an option. He stood there with his hands tucked into his pocket waiting on her. Once she was settled in the passenger seat, he went around to the driver’s side.

  They sat there in silence for several moments before she spoke. “I honestly don’t know where to begin, because I want to find the right words to say what I want to convey without coming across as hateful.”

  “I don’t need the right words,” he said. “I want the truth.”

  She looked away from him briefly and exhaled heavily. “I don’t trust you, Duncan. I’m not sure I ever will again.”

  Her words were like a shot to the heart at point blank range. “I didn’t expect for you to be able to do so right away. I’d hoped to show you with my actions as much as my words. So, I have to say it hurts to hear you say that no matter what I do it won’t make a difference.”

  “That’s the other thing,” she continued. “I feel as though we’re rushing into disaster. Yes, we have a lot of history together, but it’s been four years. We’re moving way too fast.” She looked back over at him. “It’s the same mistake we made the first time.”

  He frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “You weren’t really over how badly things ended with Rachel when things between us began and I ended up paying for it. I can’t take that risk again.”

  “Love is about risks, Zoie.”

  She stiffened. “Don’t do that. You aren’t allowed to use my words from the past against me.”

  “I’m not. I only mean you were right. I just didn’t know it back then.”

  “Duncan—”

  “Tell me that you don’t still love me,” he interrupted.

  He held completely still. If she did refute what he already knew, he didn’t know what the hell he would do. Strange, that a man who at one point hadn’t want to be tied down to a committed relationship, now found himself praying that she would say the words he needed to hear.

  “Okay,” she said and her voice broke. “I’m in love with you.”

  Relief slammed into him like a rogue wave.

  “But it doesn’t matter,’ she said rapidly, crushing the small bit of hope swelling within him.

  “Sure it does.” He took another step toward her, but she held up a hand to stop him. “When you really think about it, that’s all that matters.”

  She emitted a brief laugh. A sound that sent shivers down Duncan’s spine.

  “I don’t think so, Duncan,” she said in a strained voice.

  “Why not?”

  “I can’t trust you with my heart again,” she said. “You might not understand, but you have no idea how bad it was when you left me. It took me three months to realize I was pregnant, because I was so torn over how things ended.” She inhaled deeply. “I was angry at myself for being so stupid. You told me upfront that you didn’t want to be tied down. Or that you didn’t consider yourself a family man. Yet, I let you in and you proved in the end that I shouldn’t have.”

  “I was mistaken.”

  She shook her head. “No, you were being truthful. Which I can’t say you are doing right now.”

  That statement hurt. Even after taking her to pick out floorplans today, she still didn’t believe him. How could he convince her that situations could change? People could change—if they wanted to badly enough.

  “You might have come back with the hopes of restarting things with me, but it took you four years to do it. Even if you thought I had taken
up with another man, the fact that you didn’t come back and fight for me before now speaks volumes.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. “I don’t know how many times I can say I was stupid and selfish. I was also afraid. At that point I wasn’t sure you wouldn’t reject me outright and I wasn’t brave enough to find out.”

  Her features tense, her eyes shiny with unshed tears that he knew she didn’t plan to let fall.

  “I need some time, Duncan,” she stated softly. “As I said, I won’t keep you away from Karson, but I need some space from you. I need time to think about what I want from you if anything. I hope you can give me that.”

  Duncan remained silent. He knew he didn’t have a choice. Regardless of how he felt, the decision was Zoie’s. He hadn’t given her that option the first time around. It was the least he could do this time. Even if it meant suffering through every single second of it.

  * * *

  Zoie stretched the muscles of her face into what she hoped was a happy expression before raising her hand to knock. Several seconds later the door swung open and Cristal stood there. She shook her head.

  “Girl, you aren’t fooling anyone. Come on in here.”

  Zoie sighed as she stepped inside. Apparently she hadn’t done a good job.

  “You look a complete mess,” Cristal commented.

  “Thanks,” Zoie grumbled as she made her way into the family room. “Make me feel worse than I already do.”

  That was probably the understatement of the year. Since she’d asked Duncan to give her space she’d fallen into a funk. The past two weeks had gone by so slowly it was all she could do not to groan several times throughout the day. As each day passed, she told herself it would get easier. She would forget Duncan.

  No problem.

  That was an easy task.

  Just as easy as forgetting how to breathe.

  The store kept her busy during the day, but at night, alone in her home, she felt surrounded by memories. Her body ached for Duncan’s touch and she caught herself straining to hear the familiar rumble of his truck coming down the street outside of the times when he came to pick up Karson.