by Rhian Cahill
“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” Brent stepped beside her.
“Breathtaking. I didn’t realise this part of the house had such a sweeping view of the harbour.”
“We didn’t either until we had to remove this section of wall due to termite damage. Of course, once your brother and I knocked the wall out and saw this, there was no way either of us wanted to cover it back up.”
“You did this?” She indicated the window.
Brent laughed. “No. We were just cheap labour for the builder.”
“Oh, for a second I thought I’d uncovered another of your talents.” Vee smiled. “Speaking of, let’s get that lunch you keep promising me put together. I’m suddenly in the mood to lie in the sun.”
“Vee.”
She knew what he was going to say. Knew he wanted to talk, but she didn’t want to hash it all out yet. First she wanted to sit and eat, get to know the man he was a little better before they dug into their past and possibly destroyed any appetite she had. “Not yet. I want to enjoy some time together first. Can we do that?”
He stared at her, his gaze searching hers, before he smiled. “Okay. Let’s get this date underway.”
Chapter Four
Brent leaned back and watched Vee sip her drink. They’d eaten lunch and talked. Nothing heavy or serious, just general chit-chat you undertook on any date. Their first date had been a success, even if he said so himself, and he was sure Vee would agree if asked. Not that he planned to. He didn’t want to disrupt the peace between them. She’d opened up and told him about her house. He listened, but got most of his pleasure from sitting with her. Her skin glowed where the sun kissed it. A sprinkling of freckles stood out across the bridge of her nose and Brent wanted to play join-the-dots with his lips. Heat pooled in his groin, his pants growing snug over the erection forming.
He needed to cool down and take his mind off kissing her or he’d be in trouble. “I think a dip is in order.” His voice sounded rougher – deeper – than normal.
“But we’ve not long eaten. You’ll get a cramp.”
“That’s an old wives’ tale.” And even if it wasn’t, he didn’t care right now. Brent pushed his chair back and twisted to the side to hide the evidence of his arousal. He wasted no time stripping off his shirt and diving into the cold water.
He swam underwater to the deep end. When he surfaced he saw Vee sitting on the pool edge, her feet swirling the water. She’d removed her sundress to reveal a miniscule bikini. Any relief he’d received from his dip was instantly reversed. Her breasts were on display, the tiny triangles covering them barely hiding her nipples. The buds he remembered as dusty-brown stood taut against the silky green top, tempting him beyond reason. When had she turned into a seductress?
She’d been hot ten years ago, but now there was an added layer of confidence. Maturity and comfort within her own skin gave Vee an unmistakable aura of assuredness that was mesmerising. He’d seen it at work on others and it certainly worked on him. No one, it seemed, could resist the charm that was Valentine Johnson.
She brought her arms up and crossed them over her chest. “Why are you staring like that?”
Brent swallowed over the lump in his throat. “You know why, Vee.” He flopped back and let the water’s buoyancy keep him afloat. Closing his eyes against the sun, he contemplated how on-display his body’s reaction to her was in this position. If she looked in his direction she wouldn’t miss his hard-on, but he didn’t care. They were past ignoring the attraction between them. And he was past hiding how he felt from her.
A yank on his ankle pulled him under. Unprepared, he sucked in a mouthful of water before he kicked free and came up for air. He hadn’t heard her move, but she’d slipped into the water and delivered a sneak attack. It reminded him of when they were younger and they’d played in the pool for hours. A smile tugged at his lips. Memories of long ago summers, days when Vee and Wade’s parents had been alive, and Brent had just about lived at the Johnsons.
Vee surfaced down in the shallow end. The full length of the pool separated them and he eyed her carefully, debating his retaliation. She’d caught him off guard, but now the element of surprise was gone. For both of them. He’d have to rely on his superior speed and strength to get the better of her. Then again, she moved like a fish in water so being faster might not help him in here. One second he was contemplating his plan and the next he was watching her climb the steps and sprint across the paving towards the stairs.
Damn. She’d surprised him again. He must be getting rusty in his old age. Swimming to the side he hoisted himself out and took off after her, laughter rumbling in his chest. Instead of heading for the house, Vee hit the stairs leading to the lower level. Her only escape from there was the waters of Sydney Harbour, which meant swim or boat. The boat keys were in the house and Vee had never swum in the harbour. He didn’t think she’d start now.
When he reached the bottom, he spotted her lying on one of the sun lounges as if she hadn’t just led him on a merry chase. Slowing to a walk, he took his time reaching her. He bent over her and gripped the edges of her chair on either side of her waist. Lowering his head, Brent placed his mouth next to her ear and blew a stream of air over her skin. She trembled visibly and he couldn’t hold back his smile.
“Still capable of a sneak attack I see.” He dipped his mouth lower and brushed his lips over the shell of her ear. “Do you remember how I used to get payback, Vee? Remember how I’d wait until you least expected it?”
“Y-yes.” Her breath teased his chest and sent a shudder through him.
“You don’t have to worry about that this time,” he said.
“I-I don’t?”
“No. Payback is now.” Before she could think or take a breath he turned his head and slanted his mouth over hers.
He took them deep, pressed into her mouth and stroked his tongue over hers. She moaned and he drew the sound inside. Her hands gripped his head, her fingers twisting in his hair and tugging him closer. Blood rushed in his veins, filled his cock with pounding need, and his senses went into overdrive. Everywhere they touched – and everywhere they didn’t – he burned. His skin felt too tight, stretched over his bones in a layer of blistering sensation that stole his breath.
She tore her mouth from his. “Brent.”
The breathy way his name slipped over her lips sent a jolt of lust through him. He wanted to hear her call his name when she climaxed. But he didn’t want that here. Not outside. Not on the waterfront where anyone could see them. Pulling away, he stood and offered her a hand.
“Come on.”
“What? Where?”
Brent loved the dazed look in her eyes. Loved that he made her not only breathless, but mindless too. With a grin he bent over and scooped her up.
“Brent!”
He chuckled and mimicked her tone. “Valentine!”
“Put me down.” She wiggled in his arms.
“I will.” He tightened his grip and brought her closer to his chest. “As soon as I get my bed under you.”
Vee wrapped her arms around Brent’s neck and buried her face beneath his chin. His skin was warm and the scent of chlorine tickled her nose when she breathed in. He’d kissed her senseless without even trying. The man’s mouth was lethal and she was about to get an even bigger dose of it. He took the stairs two at a time; even with her in his arms he didn’t break a sweat or struggle for breath. They reached the pool level and she remembered their lunch.
“The food–”
“Later,” he growled and kept going.
He bypassed the back of the house and headed around to the side entrance to his apartment. They entered through an office and she had a brief glimpse of computer screens and keyboards as they passed through. His long strides ate up the ground as he manoeuvred them along the hallway and into his room. The first thing she noticed was the bed. It was a huge king that dominated the space. Second were the colours: blues, greens, yellows, all melding together in a kaleidoscope of s
ensory delight.
Brent walked to the bed and unceremoniously dumped her on it. She bounced once before he pinned her to the mattress with his weight. Like the last kiss, there was no warning. His tongue swept inside her mouth to tangle with hers. He took and demanded more. Their teeth clicked together as she opened wider and sought to quench the thirst building inside her. Her hands roamed his back, mapping the muscles along his spine until she hit damp cloth.
She tugged at his shorts, slid her hands around his hips and shoved them between their bodies to get at the fastening. Yanking hard, she growled into Brent’s mouth when they wouldn’t open. He pulled back, his lips leaving hers and drawing a whimper of protest from her throat.
He chuckled. “Easy, Vee, we’ve got all day.”
All day? She’d never survive that long. She wanted him now, wanted to feel his body pressed to hers, wanted him thrusting inside her until he eased the ache in her core. “No. Now. I need you now.”
“I don’t want to rush this. I want to take my time and explore every inch of you.” He put action to words and dipped his head to nibble his way along her collarbone.
“Later.” She panted. “We can go slow later.”
“Vee,” he murmured against her skin sending a shiver down her spine.
She arched into him, her breasts pressing into his chest, her sex cradling his. “Please, Brent.”
He didn’t answer. Instead he reached around her neck and undid the bow of her bikini top. The material gave and he pushed up on one elbow while pulling the tiny pieces of triangle out of the way. Her freed breasts snagged his gaze and he trailed a fingertip over the upper swell of her right one before moving his hand underneath to cup the mound in his palm.
“You’re so gorgeous.” He lowered his head and sucked her nipple into his mouth.
Vee moaned, her back bowing off the bed, offering him more. He scraped his teeth over her puckered bud sending a streak of heat into her core. His tongue flicked the tip while his lips pulled as much of her flesh into his mouth as he could. Plumping her breast with his hand, he continued to devour her until her womb clenched and her breath caught.
She needed to touch him. With surprising ease, she pushed him back and flipped them over. Straddling his stomach, she leaned down and kissed his mouth.
“My turn,” she said as she pulled away.
Shimmying down his thighs, she reached for the fastening on his shorts. The button popped and the Velcro ripped open with ease. Curling her fingers around the waistband, she slowly, inch by inch, worked them over his hips. With care, she wiggled them past his protruding erection. His long shaft bounced free as she moved lower. He hadn’t worn underwear. Heat arrowed between her legs when she realised he’d be bare beneath his swim trunks.
Vee glanced up to find his eyes on her. She smiled, her tongue slipping out to lick her lips. Brent jolted. His eyes dilated and his shaft slapped against his stomach, leaving a small, glistening wet patch. The urge to taste him pierced her. She’d never gotten to do that last time. There was so much she wanted to do to him. With him. But first she needed to sate the ache in her sex.
Wrapping her fingers around him, she stroked his length from root to tip and back. She used her other hand to cup his testicles. They sat hot in her palm, his scrotum contracting as she lightly squeezed.
“Jesus.”
His curse made her smile. It was good to know he wasn’t the only one who could torture with pleasure. Before things went any further, they needed to get rid of the rest of their clothes. Letting go of Brent’s flesh, she reached behind her back and snapped open the clasp on her top. She tossed the scrap of Lycra onto the floor and climbed to her feet. Standing over him, she stripped her bottoms down and threw them aside.
Brent hadn’t been idle while she stripped. He’d managed to shove his pants all the way down and kick them off. She dropped to her knees and crawled up his body until her mouth hovered over his. “Condoms?”
“Bedside, top drawer.” Brent pointed to his right.
Vee leaned over and pulled out the drawer. She smiled when she found the unopened box. “New purchase?”
“No.”
“Oh?” She glanced at him.
“Is that a subtle way of asking about my sex life?”
Was it? “Um, no.”
“I don’t have one, Vee. I haven’t dated anyone in over a year and it’s been longer than that since I had sex.”
“Oh.”
“Your turn.”
“What?” He wasn’t asking her when she last has sex, was he?
“I showed you mine, now you show me yours.” He grabbed her waist, rolled until he’d pinned her beneath him. “Well?”
How could she tell him? She didn’t want to lie, but the truth was so far beyond embarrassing her cheeks were already flaming hot. If she could be vague… “A long time.”
“How long, Vee?” His eyes bore into hers, determination burning in their depths.
“A few years.” She’d slept with two men. Brent and a guy she’d met at university. Both had been a one night thing. Both ten years ago.
“Then we’re not rushing this.” Brent took the box from her hand and dropped it on the bed. “Anticipation is half the fun, after all.”
“Brent, I’ve been anticipating this moment for almost ten years. The fun went out of it a while ago.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re more than satisfied.”
If his grin hadn’t hinted at the fact she was in trouble then his next move did. He did as he’d promised earlier and explored every inch of her. Starting at her neck, he worked his way down to her toes and back. Skirting around her breasts and between her legs, he touched and tasted each millimetre of skin with concentrated focus until she was breathlessly begging for him to finish.
“Please.” She writhed under his attention. “Brent.”
He chuckled against her hip, then did as she asked. His tongue moved over her. Lapping at her flesh, he drove her to the peak and over in seconds. But he gave no respite. No sooner had she come down than he was pushing her back up again. This time he used his fingers as well. Thrusting a finger inside her core while flicking his tongue over her engorged clitoris, he quickly brought her back to the brink of release only to keep her there, hovering on the sharp ridge of pleasure for long moments before pulling away completely.
“No!” Vee reached out only to find him gone.
Opening her eyes she found him next to her struggling to open the box of condoms. With a growl, he gave up trying to rip open the plastic wrapper with his hands and used his teeth. Tearing into it, he crushed the carton between his fingers before the box finally burst apart, showering them and the bed in foil packets. Laughing, Vee scooped one up and tore it open.
Brent snatched the condom from her and sheathed his length with shaking hands. Covered, he turned his attention back to her. He moved over her and she willingly laid back. As he pressed his body to hers, she widened her legs, her hips cradling his, the hot shaft of his erection nestled in her sex. His hands found hers and he wove their fingers together. Gazes connected, Brent rocked his hips and brought the tip of her cock to her opening.
“Don’t look away. I want to watch you when I make you mine again.”
His head lowered, his mouth drawing closer to hers. He brushed her lips lightly in a move that barely earned the word ‘kiss’. In slow increments he entered her, each push a welcome stretch as long unused muscles fought to accept him. She lifted against him, forced him a little deeper, but he wouldn’t let her take control.
He set the pace: a slow push in, a gentle pull out. Each drive forward took him deeper, took Vee higher into burning need. They moved together, a dance they’d done before. One they would do again. Brent kept his gaze on hers and she couldn’t ignore the overwhelming blaze of love shining in his eyes. She knew her eyes would reveal the same; there was no way to shield her emotions. Not when she’d spent years dreaming of this moment.
Brent went
slow as long as he could, but he couldn’t hold off his need for release forever. Vee moved with him, followed his lead, pushed him further. His fingers tightened on hers, his hips rocking a little faster. He couldn’t look away from her eyes. They were like mirrors to her heart now that she’d allowed him close. Her eyelids drooped, but she did as he asked and focused her gaze on his. She tilted her hips and took him deeper.
Wet heat surrounded him, the snug clasp of her sex tightening his balls and pushing him to the brink. He drove into her again and again. He flexed his hips and lunged. She wrapped her legs around his waist and met each thrust with one of her own. Her hands squeezed his before she tugged them free to run them down his back. When she reached his arse, she dug her fingers into his cheeks and pulled him closer. Little breathy moans slipped through her lips, driving him crazy, and he had to taste them.
Her mouth was hot and slick when she opened for him, their tongues sliding, chasing, catching. He took his fill, explored her teeth, nipped at her lips, and fused his mouth to hers, thrusting his tongue inside. His hips sped up, the need to climax rolling down his spine to settle in his groin. But Brent wanted to feel her muscles clenching him before he took the leap. Separating their mouths, he leaned on one elbow and slid his other hand between their joined bodies.
She arched, bucking her hips into his touch when he found the hard knot of nerves at the top of her sex. Moisture coated his fingers and he swirled it around her clitoris. The bundle pulsed beneath his skin, her sex grinding against him, and he knew she was close. He added pressure, circled his fingers faster, and shifted his hips to change the angle of penetration. Her body stilled, one half-beat of time when she didn’t breathe, didn’t move. And then she exploded.
Brent had no choice but to follow. Her sex clamped around his, rippled along the length of his shaft until her climax milked him of his. He pumped into her, buried his cock as deep as he could, and let go. Pleasure burst through him, wave after wave of ecstasy swamped him, draining everything he had. His arms and legs shook; his heart raced. He’d thought he remembered, thought he’d known what to expect, but either his memory was faulty or they’d stepped beyond the fumblings of new lovers with surprising ease.
