His kind eyes. I begged for kind eyes before I met him, but I’m not sure I knew exactly what I was asking for, or if it really existed. Now I know. They are laced with warmth, generosity, and concern, held in place by small lines in the corners that show off many years of laughter and playfulness. At the moment, I am most certain that I can trust this man. The irony is, of course, not lost on me. I’m putting my trust in a man who pays for sex—not the usual sort I put my confidence in.
“Jesus, Charlotte,” he says as his hand cups my left cheek, “I feel like you’re staring into my soul.”
“I am,” I say, almost in a whisper. Leaning up on my toes, I brush my lips against his, noting the slight change in the tempo of his breathing. His hand wraps around the small of my back, pulling me close to him as he attacks my lips. I play at the belt of his suit pants and whip it off. Mitch unhooks my bra. Cool air hits my lips. I open my eyes, watching him watch me. I quickly glance to my shoulder. As Mitch slides my bra straps off my shoulders and down my arms, his eyes focus on mine. Sad to say, but I think this is the most erotic moment of my life. My bra falls to the floor.
“You okay, baby?” He traces the slight prominence of my clavicle bone with his index finger. I almost think he’s asking for real, but then I remember—he’s playing along.
“Mmhmm.”
“I’ll stop if you need me to.” He leans down near my ear. “Not really,” he whispers, and I can’t help but laugh a little. He straightens up, his smile extending to his eyes. I reach up with my hand and lightly touch the laugh lines at the corner of his eye.
“What are you doing?”
“Admiring the evidence of joy in your life. No matter how great or small—it’s all right here.” I strum my fingers over the tiny lines. “I find that very attractive.” My smile is small, maybe a little timid-looking. I can only hope my expression isn’t completely revealing my sudden shyness or concern over my inexperience.
“I find your thoughts overwhelming,” he says, grabbing my hand. He kisses the tip of each finger. I give him a quizzical look and he shakes his head dismissively. “Enough stalling, baby.” He begins backing me up toward the bed.
“You started it.”
I arch a brow and pop the button on his pants.
“Yeah, well—I’m gonna finish it, too.” With that, he turns me around swiftly so I’m facing the bed. Holy hell! His breath hits my neck, hot and full of promise. His hands fall to my sides. Slowly they push forward to my stomach and travel up.
“Ah!” I gasp from the bolt of electricity surging to my groin. Mitch rolls and tugs my nipples with skill and precision. I lean my head back against his chest. Hooking my arm around his neck, I bring his mouth down to mine. After a beat, his hands quickly slide down to my panties. His fingers hook under the elastic. He pulls away from mouth and whips my panties down to the floor. Good God! After an affectionate nip at my bum, he comes back up to a standing position and slowly turns me back around, then pulls the duvet back.
“Lie down.” He nods toward the bed. I hear him unzip his pants while I sit and gracefully (I hope!) crawl back onto the bed.
Laying my head back, I take to yoga breathing once again, only I don’t exhale with Lion’s Breath. Shit ... I’m not exhaling at all! Breathe, Charley. Breathe. My lungs finally give in to the pressure, and the feeling of Mitch’s teeth lightly biting at the inside of my leg. He pulls my legs apart—wide. I feel so overwhelmed at the exposure, the vulnerability. I gasp again as he tenderly bites and licks at the apex of my groin. My hips rise, encouraging him. Mitch’s finger traces ever so slowly over my cleft. I think I hear him whispering something, but I’m not certain. The pounding of my heart is deafening. Just when I think I can’t handle any more of the tantalizing torture of his hesitation, his tongue glides over, tasting me. A moan escapes from my throat.
“Damn it, Charlotte!” he snaps. I can barely hear him over the pounding in my ears. Damn it, Charlotte? What’s that about? Did I do something ... oh. Oh. My. God.
“Ugh ... Mitch ... please,” I beg. He holds me open, his mouth violently attacking my vulnerability. The swirling, the biting, the plunging—it’s more than I can bear. I’m in sensory overload, and his hand holds my pelvis down, forcing me to endure it all with no relief in sight. “Please ... oh please, Mitch,” I cry out. I feel—I know—I’m on the verge of some sort of breakthrough here. Mitch slows his hunger to a savoring pace. I feel a finger circling my entrance, as if plotting its plan of attack. He slips two fingers in at the pace of a Sunday drive. They meticulously massage the upper front wall of my vagina, sending my body on a leisurely hike to Heaven. A delicious tightening occurs deep inside, traveling up to the pit of my stomach. I squeeze my eyes shut as my body celebrates the joyous occasion of my first orgasm not supplied by a battery-operated object. A rocket shoots off a burst of purple. Another burst, now of white ... blue ... green ...
“Ugh ... oh ... Mitch ... Mitch ...” I don’t even recognize my voice, and the rockets are coming so quick, one explosion after another.
“That’s it, baby. Let me hear you.” His encouragement works me through the last of my quakes. My body stills after I give him the last of my whimpers. I stare at the ceiling, trying to steady my breathing. I feel tears rolling from the corners of my eyes. I quickly wipe them away while Mitch begins his climb up my body. My breast rises to greet his mouth, and I plunge one hand into his hair and grasp his chin with the other. Lifting my neck, I pull his mouth away from my nipple and attack his lips. He finishes his climb, allowing me to rest my head down, his tongue exploring my mouth. Ripping his lips from mine, he gazes into my eyes, strumming his thumb against my bottom lip purposefully. Mitch shifts just barely, never losing eye contact. I raise my hips for him, and at this moment I realize I have never wanted someone this bad in my life. My neck involuntarily bends back as I feel myself stretch around him.
“Charlotte,” he gasps. A small sob flies from my mouth and hangs over us like a secret that never meant to be discovered. “Charlotte ... baby, look at me,” he whispers. My neck relaxes and my eyes find his. They look confused. “Charlotte?”
“Shh.” I lean up and kiss him. It turns from soft and reluctant to urgent, even desperate. Mitch rolls his hips again—skillfully, I may add. Within moments, we are in perfect rhythm. I relish in the feeling of my body finally accommodating his with ease. I swiftly turn my head away. My eyes go wide in disbelief as the newly familiar feeling creeps up on me once again.
“Look at me,” he commands. It’s meant to sound assertive, but it translates almost to a plea. I comply—eyes still wide, ready to be transported someplace incredible. “You’re mine.” His right hand palms my face and I feel like I’m hanging by a thread. “Say it!” he demands.
“I’m yours ... I’m ... oh ...” I’m gone, wild beneath him.
“That’s it, baby. Tell me. Show me you’re mine,” he says, egging me on. I comply in every way. Sound. Touch. I’m his ... contract or no contract. I tighten myself around him, my final proclamation. The sound that escapes his throat brings me to my knees. “Char—goddamn.” His nose scrunches up and his lips form an “O” shape. The tip of his tongue slides over the top of his teeth and pushes against them as if its life depended on it. “Ugh,” he grunts one last time, then falls to my chest, panting. Mitch lifts his head.
“I’m sorry,” I say quickly.
“About?”
“I called you Mitch.” I wince.
“Christ, Charlotte, that’s the furthest from my mind right now,” he says with a hint of irritation. I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing. He shakes his head slightly and takes in a deep breath. “Right now I just want to bask in our post-coital glow.”
“But?” I ask, showcasing my nervousness.
“But ... we are going to have a very in-depth conversation tomorrow morning.” He grabs my chin and rocks my head side to side gently for emphasis. I reply by swallowing hard—it’s all I’ve got. He dips down and sweeps my lips
lightly before pulling out. I cringe from the sudden emptiness I feel. Mitch rolls onto his back and pulls me with him. His fingers glide up and down my spine, then into my hair and back down again. The strumming of his fingers, the effects of two amazing orgasms, the stress and worry about what was to come of tonight, and the fact that I was up at four this morning with a feverish Brooklynn—I find myself in a soporific state that I can’t fight anymore.
My eyes fly open in a panic and I glance around the room trying to place it. Ugh ... I hate when this happens. And it does—too often, thanks to all my traveling. Boston ... I’m in Boston. Charlotte! I turn my head to the right to find her resting with her back to me. She’s sleeping so peacefully. I fight the urge to touch her.
What the hell was that last night?! No way has she done this before! I’ve had my fair share of professional ladies. Charlotte did not display one single characteristic in common with them. Well, her playfulness, but I could tell that was genuine, not forced. She signed at twenty-five thousand a month, no argument. Didn’t ask me how much I thought “double the going rate” was, or even mention her fee. No, I’m most certain she’s never done this before, especially considering she was so snug. Christ, was she snug!
Forget Charlotte. What the hell was up with me? I went down on her—I never do that with someone I’m paying! I made love to her—I don’t do that with ... anyone. I have casual sex. I fuck hard. I never make love—not my thing—not usually—not ever!
I bring my hands to my face and try to rub away my confusion. I’ve got to look at her file again. Kyle said she checked out all right. I just skimmed over it, having full confidence in Kyle’s abilities. Of course, he didn’t know the real reason for her background check. I climb out of bed, slip my boxers on, and head to the living room. I grab a bottle of water and take a quick sip before I retrieve her file from my briefcase.
Charlotte Rose McKendrick ... thirty-three ... BA in English ... spouse: Joshua Thomas McKendrick ... Hampstead, NH.
“Spouse?!” How did I miss that? I look again. My eyes drop further down the page for the detailed biography Kyle always gives.
Her husband abandoned her? And her three kids. Kids ... shit! Brogan, Bennett, and Brooklynn. I’m sensing a theme here. Her divorce is almost finalized—good. House in foreclosure. Recently laid off from a doctor’s office. Son Bennett has special needs. What kind of special needs? Hmm ... it doesn’t say.
I close the file. I don’t need to know any more ... not now. This is enough to know my suspicions were correct. I’m her first client. I sit on the couch, lean forward, and rest my head in my hands. Shit ... now what? This can’t possibly work. She’s that type ... not this type. She’s the girl who falls in love, gets married, has a few kids, and lives out the rest of her life in domestic bliss (well, I’m sure that was her plan). She’ll want more. I’ll have to start all over with a less-than-perfect version of—her. Christ. She’s exactly what I want. Somehow, her situation makes her even closer to perfection for me. First, she’s probably too busy to bother being disloyal. Will she be too busy for me, though? Secondly, she doesn’t have to pretend to know how to be a girlfriend. She was a wife for almost ten years! If I’m honest with myself, a wife figure is what I really want. One without all of the bullshit and strings attached. Ugh, God ... what the hell am I thinking? I’m not thinking! No, I can’t do this with her—she’ll want more. I won’t give her that. I’ll give her a month’s salary and walk away.
“Hey.”
My eyes shoot up at the sound of her voice. She’s leaning against the doorframe of the bedroom in nothing but my dress shirt. Her long, wavy hair is pulled to one side. Damn, she is a vision.
“Hey,” I say with a slight smile. “Go back to bed. I’ll be there in a minute.”
She nods. “Okay. Can I grab a water?”
“Here ... have mine.” I hold it up. She walks over and takes it from me, then brings it to her lips. I match her smile—that sexy little smile—before she takes a sip.
“Sit back.” She pushes at my shoulder. I rest my back against the cushions. She turns and pulls at my shirt to make sure it covers her bum before sitting across my lap and stretching her legs out on the couch.
“Yes, Charlotte, we must remain modest at all times,” I tease her. She rewards me with her girlish giggle, then leans against my chest and tucks her head into the curve of my neck.
“Why are you up in the middle of the night, Mr. Colton?” She raises her head to look at me. Her fingers play with my lips. “Very rude of you, sir, leaving me all by my lonesome.”
I touch her cheek. “Your eyes are beautiful.”
“You’re changing the subject.” Her eyebrow arches. I shrug and look down at her legs, then rest my hand on her thigh and gradually let it slide up.
“Just thinking. That’s all.”
“Well, that’s just the sort of thing that will get you into trouble.” She rests her head back in the crook of my neck.
“Really? Thinking?” I humor her.
“Yes. Thinking can get in the way of doing. Sometimes you need to just do things without thinking, because they need to get done. Think about it!” She holds her hand out for emphasis, then quickly acts like she’s holding a drumstick and sounds off a couple of beats that would come after a one-liner. I can’t help but chuckle at her. Damn it, she’s cute!
“So, I should do and not think about it?” I lay my head back.
“Yes.”
I eye her. “Like sign a contract that pays me far less than what I’m worth?”
“Mitch ... did you not ask for an educated woman?” She lifts her head.
“Mitchell.” I give her “The Look.” “And yes, I did.”
“That’s right. It’s only acceptable for me to call you Mitch when I’m coming ... right?” Her smile hits her eyes. Damn it! “Moving along ...” She winks. “Since I pride myself on being quite the erudite woman, I am not going to play dumb. I certainly don’t believe you are lacking in the intelligence department, either. In saying that, I am new to this ‘scene.’” She actually makes air quotation marks. “But that doesn’t mean I haven’t done my homework. I know there are women out there who charge two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for just a weekend. I know what I’m worth, Mitchell. I don’t need a dollar sign attached to a ridiculous number for me to believe it. I’m not an avaricious person, either. I have priorities that require only the basic necessities, and most of those necessities cannot be provided by money.
“However, the things that do require money are costly. It’s difficult for me to maintain a regular job right now that will meet both my financial situation and the schedule I require. My lack of negotiations is purely for my benefit, not yours. I do need the money. I feel it’s a sufficient amount for your requirements, plus you’re offering me the ability to stay off the radar, which is by far one of the most important requirements I have. Not that I’ve ever had trouble with the law. I haven’t, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
I almost can’t believe my ears when she finally quiets that lovely mouth of hers. Good God! Did she just say all of that in one breath?
“Mitchell ...”
“What?”
“Say something.” She looks down.
“Sorry. I’m overwhelmed by your veracity. You are quite the rare breed, aren’t you?” I chuck her chin.
“Yeah ... I’m pretty much a bullshit-free zone. I don’t take it, I don’t give it, and quite frankly I want nothing to do with it. If I smell bullshit—I call it and leave the room.” I can tell I have a goofy grin on my face as she rambles on. “Sorry.”
“For?”
“Nattering on.”
“I’m quite fond of your nattering.” I curl my index finger under her chin and hold it with my thumb. Leaning in, I grasp her lips with mine. “So,” I breathe, letting my mouth hover over hers. My hand moves down her neck and into my shirt. Slowly, my fingers trace around her nipple. I listen to the tempo of her breathing change. “How do y
ou like the new career you’ve had all of six hours?”
“Oh, well, I’m not all that new at this. I’ve been doing it longer than six hours, Mitchell.” She pulls away. I feel a spark of jealousy at this. My fingers still.
I look away from her. “How long?”
“Just about ... seven hours,” she says after some thought.
“Ugh—Charlotte!” I say in irritation. “I can already tell you’re going to drive me crazy.”
“Crazy in a good way? And ... it’s Charley,” she taps my nose with her index finger.
“Well, that remains to be seen ... Charlotte.” I grab her hand gently.
“Charley,” she says, getting off my lap only to turn around and straddle me.
“Charlotte,” I say very slowly while leaning my head back to look at her. What an idiot her husband was.
“Mitch,” she says softly, placing her finger over my lips when I part them to correct her. She leans down near my ear. “Touch me, Mitch ... please.”
I close my eyes, fighting back whatever she’s stirring in me. She straightens back up and stares into my eyes as she unbuttons my dress shirt.
Placing my hands on her hips, I gently squeeze them. “I thought I was the boss here.” I smirk at her and lick my lips. The curve of her breast becomes visible from her seductively slow unbuttoning.
“Don’t you think staff morale would go up if you allowed them to take charge of a few things?” She matches my smirk with her playful banter.
“Baby.” I shift and her eyes go wide. “As you can see—er, feel—the morale of my staff has been up since you sat on my lap.” I push against her and listen to her gasp.
“We should probably debrief the staff immediately, then take advantage of the raise in morale.” I find myself eager to play along with her flirting again. I almost hate how fucking cute I think she is.
Under Contract (The GEG Series) Page 3
