by Ashlyn Chase
A few minutes into the game, Chloe was catching on…although there was nothing more Irish about it than the team’s name and shamrock emblem on their uniforms. The game wasn’t very complicated.
But there was one thing that made her cringe—okay, there were two things. The way they mispronounced Celtics with a soft C, and the painting on the floor of a little man spinning a basketball on the end of his finger. He reminded her of Shamus—the leprechaun who blamed her family for stealing a pot of gold. And then all the leprechauns kicked the remaining Arish dragons out of Ireland over the misunderstanding…and that’s how she’d wound up in Boston in the first place. Well, actually the second place. The first place they’d landed was Iceland, but the language was so difficult she had been relieved when they’d decided to move to Boston shortly after that. They’d learned English when the rest of Ireland had to.
Then she glanced up at Ryan. If that hadn’t happened, she’d never have met this handsome firefighter. And she’d never have been kissed like the world could end at any moment.
She took another gander at the leprechaun painted on the floor a few rows in front of her and was able to crack a smile.
Ryan tipped up her chin with his finger. “What is it?”
“Oh, nothing. My mind was just wandering.”
Suddenly the guy behind Ryan tapped his shoulder. “Hey, look!” He pointed to the large screen overhead in the middle of the arena. Large flashing letters spelled out Kiss Cam.
“Oh no,” Ryan groaned.
“Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her,” the crowd chanted.
Shite. “Can everyone see that? Even the people watching at home on TV?” she asked.
“Yep. And the only way to make it stop is if I kiss you.”
When she glanced up at the giant peeping Tom, it didn’t seem to be moving away and the crowd was obviously not satisfied. They began booing.
Ryan cupped the back of her head and moved in. The crowd began chanting again, and after he had kissed her for several toe-curling seconds, the crowd cheered.
“And that was the kiss cam,” Ryan said, grinning.
“I feckin’ figured that out for meself. So, do you think anyone we know saw that?”
“Unless every firefighter in the district went to the fridge for a beer at that exact moment, I think it’s a guarantee.”
“Shite. We’re screwed. Forgive me for this.”
“For what?”
She pulled back and slapped his face, hard.
* * *
Ryan stuffed his hands in his pockets and strolled beside Chloe on their way out of the arena.
“I know I said it before, but I’m sorry for slappin’ you,” she said.
He smiled. “Actually, that was smart. We sure don’t look like we’re dating now.”
After a brief hesitation, she gazed up at him with something unfamiliar in her eyes. Sadness? Remorse? Whatever it was, he didn’t care for it. Not on her.
“Do you forgive me?” she asked.
He hooked her arm and halted. “Here’s how much I forgive you.” He swooped in and kissed her, long and slow.
She ran her fingers through his hair, returning his kiss. The fervor built and the rest of the world fell away. Distantly he heard catcalls and comments like, “Oh, now she kisses him!” and “Make up your mind, girl!”
When he heard the inevitable “Get a room” comment, he broke the kiss. Between panting breaths he whispered, “I think that might be a good idea.”
“What idea?” She was breathing hard too.
He whispered right in her ear, “Getting a room.”
When he leaned back to gauge her expression, he had no trouble interpreting it. Her mouth hung open and her eyes rounded.
Shit. I shocked her.
He was just about to apologize when she nodded. “Yes,” she whispered. “Let’s.”
* * *
Was she really going to do this? Sleep with Ryan?
Part of her wanted to run, suspecting the inevitable heartbreak would be worse if they acted on their feelings for each other. No. She couldn’t assume his feelings. Their natural impulses were taking over, that’s all.
As they found the nearest hotel and checked in, the war in her head continued. What if she was no good in bed? Would he tell the “brotherhood”? Should she let him know this would be her first time?
Oh, shite. I’ve no idea what I’m doin’.
She bit her lip and hung her head as they entered the elevator.
“What’s wrong? Are you having second thoughts?”
She barely heard him over her internal debate. “Uh, no. I’m just…nervous, I guess.”
He rubbed her back and said, “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”
“It’s not a matter of wantin’.”
His look of confusion made her realize he might call it off if she didn’t do something encouraging. She had avoided men for a long time. A looooooong time. Why this guy was different she couldn’t quite figure out. But for some damn reason, she wanted to know him, completely.
She grabbed the back of his head and yanked him down for a hard kiss.
When she let him up for air, he grinned. “I guess you’re okay with this, then.”
She smiled back and nodded.
They found their room and he quickly used the key card. A stupid stray thought entered her mind as he took a step back to allow her to go first. Isn’t he going to carry me over the threshold? She almost rolled her eyes at herself. Wrong milestone, idjit.
She almost felt like she needed to be carried, as her legs seemed to liquefy. Stupid legs! Work!
“Are you—”
“Yes, I’m sure,” she said before he could misinterpret her hesitation.
She marched into the room and eyed the bed. It was huge. Nerves were getting the better of her again. If things didn’t go well… Stop thinking that way, Chloe! This could be the most wonderful experience of your ridiculously long life.
She unzipped her jacket and let it fall to the floor, then strolled over and sat on the edge of the bed. Smiling, she patted the space beside her.
Ryan followed her lead.
She began to unbutton his shirt, but her fingers were trembling. She hoped he wouldn’t notice.
He let her continue, leaned over, and kissed her as she fumbled. To his credit, he didn’t try to hurry or help her.
A pleasurable sensation shot through her as he found her breast and massaged it through her sweater. He was gentle, yet there was no mistaking what he wanted.
Suddenly, she needed their clothes off. Immediately. She broke the kiss, quickly finished unbuttoning his shirt, and yanked it out of his jeans. As soon as she’d peeled it off him and tossed it who-knows-where, she whipped off her sweater and threw it in the same direction.
“Anxious, are you?” he teased.
She grabbed his belt buckle. In seconds the belt went the way of everything else, and she yanked his fly open.
“Whoa. I’m glad you’re excited, but stop before you injure me and spoil our fun. Let me take over from here.”
“Oh.” She felt dumb, but she used the awkward moment to undo her own jeans and slip them off. Now they were in their underwear. For some reason, she wasn’t ready to go completely nude. Not yet.
He seemed to sense that and simply caressed her face and kissed her. Their tongues met and swirled. She relaxed into his arms and let nature take over.
Before long, he lowered her to the bed and leaned over her, resuming their long, tender kiss. She lost track of time, then lost track of everything except his talented mouth. She’d never tasted a man before and loved the uniqueness of it. Or maybe she just loved him. She couldn’t picture doing this with anyone else.
He rolled toward the middle of the bed and she found herself on top of him. He
was letting her take the lead. Now…what to do?
She leaned back and gazed into his eyes. She saw some kind of soft, white glow. Could it be? Was that enough to match her diamond?
When she thought about the exact match of Shannon’s sapphire to Finn’s eyes and Rory’s gem to Amber’s eyes, she sighed. Probably not. Still, she wanted to cling to the possibility.
She needed to see and feel all of him. Her pulse doubled with the thrill of anticipation.
She sat up, straddling him, and unhooked her bra. She wasn’t big in that area, but at least she was proportionate. She’d seen some bizarre figures—probably the result of surgery. When she flung the garment away, he grinned appreciatively.
“Like what you see?”
“Very much.” He reached for her, but she grabbed his hands.
“Your turn.” Climbing off him, she smiled wickedly.
He didn’t hesitate. As soon as he whipped off his briefs, she almost gasped. Despite the bulge, Chloe hadn’t expected…that. His arousal was impressive to say the least, not that she had a lot to compare it to.
She rolled onto her back and shimmied out of her thong.
He groaned.
Oh no! “Is something wrong?”
“Not a thing, sweetheart. I’m just blown away by the view.”
Lying on her side, she indulged one of her curiosities. She ran her fingers through his springy chest hair, then circled his nipple. He smiled and reached for her breast.
His touch created such bliss inside her, she could have let him rub her breasts all night. Then he cupped one and ran the roughened pad of his thumb back and forth over it. She arched and moaned.
Good Lord, so this is what all the fuss is about. And they had barely begun!
* * *
Ryan wanted to make this experience special. Not just because he needed the itch scratched—badly—but because he sensed a vulnerability in her he’d never seen before. She was trusting him with more than her body.
He kissed her again and his tongue slid over her teeth. He wondered if she’d allow him to indulge in a little oral sex, something he was very good at. If she was moaning from the attention to her breasts, he couldn’t imagine her response if he went down on her.
Finally—finally—she ran her fingers over his cock. Her touch was so tentative, he figured she’d need some encouragement. “That’s it, sweetheart. Wrap your hand around it.”
She did and even gave him a squeeze. When he moaned, she dropped him as if she’d caused him bodily harm.
“I’m sorry! Did I hurt you?” she asked.
“Far from it. You make me feel good when you touch me. Very good.”
“Oh.” She reached for him again and this time, she cupped his balls. “Does this feel good?”
“So good.”
She became a little bolder and rubbed figure eights around them. He sighed appreciatively. When she grasped his shaft again, he murmured more encouragement. “That’s it, princess. Now move your hand up and down.”
While she was occupied and driving him crazy, he ran his hand down her abdomen and teased her inner thighs. She shivered, but her skin was blazing hot. She parted her thighs without him asking. He wanted to laugh at the guys who’d thought she was frigid.
He tested her wetness and was pleased to see she was ready for him…but he had more to give her. Much more.
He zeroed in on her sensitive bundle and she cried out, arching off the mattress. She dropped his erection. Good thing or she might have pulled it off.
“Do you want me to stop?”
She swallowed. “Hell no. Don’t stop.”
He chuckled and rubbed her clit as she moaned.
“That’s it, luv. Let me take over. Just feel.”
As he sped up his massage, she gathered the sheets in a death grip and moaned louder and louder. At last her legs vibrated wildly and she let out a series of screams that would have had the whole fire department rushing to her room if they’d tried this at the station. Their band of brothers might tease the heck out of her, but when one of their own was threatened, they’d stop at nothing to save him—or her.
Good God, I hope no one calls hotel security.
At last, she settled down and he withdrew his finger. Her eyes were glassy and she was gasping for air.
“Holy feck,” she swore between deep breaths.
He had no idea she was such a screamer, but to him it was applause. He’d have to think of places he could take her with no one nearby. Maybe instead of buying a condo, he’d buy a yacht.
Then he remembered her reaction to the fishing boat. Oh well. That was out. He’d just have to make sure whatever condo he bought was totally soundproof.
“I…” She panted. “I…” At last she took a deep breath and said, “I want to make you feel like that too.”
Sweeter words were never spoken.
He swallowed. “You can get me close to that, if you don’t object to taking my cock in your mouth.”
She hesitated, then nodded furiously.
“Or, if you object—”
“No! No objection.” She quickly slid down the bed until she was eye level with his throbbing erection.
“I’ve never…” She took a deep breath. “Just tell me what to do.”
She’s never given a blow job? He didn’t know whether to feel flattered or worried. “Are you sure? I mean…you don’t have to do this.”
“I know. I want to learn. Just don’t expect much the first time.”
Oh man. Well, she seemed completely willing, and he knew that whatever she did would feel damn good, so why not? “Just take me in your mouth and suck. No teeth, though!”
She did exactly as he asked. The pleasurable sensation shot through him as he lay back and groaned.
She let him pop out of her mouth. “Am I not doin’ it right?”
“You’re doing great. Can you keep going?”
She grinned. “I can if you can.”
“Just do what comes naturally. I’ll stop you if anything hurts.”
In seconds she had him worried that he might lose control.
* * *
Once she got into it, she rather enjoyed her new skill. It was obvious how much pleasure she was giving him. She experimented with little licks and nips that elicited excited gasps. When he told her to stop, she almost pouted.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“Not at all.” He grabbed her under her arms and hauled her back up to his face, then rolled her onto her back and kissed her, deeply. When he came up for air, he said, “You are the most surprising woman I’ve ever met.”
“Why? Because I did that blow job thing?”
He laughed. “That was like a delicious ice cream sundae. Just part of a whole bowlful of surprises.”
“So, I’m like ice cream?”
“Yup. Plus the hot fudge sauce that surprises the tongue.”
She grinned. “What else is in an ice cream sundae?”
He couldn’t believe she’d never had one. He filed that information away for later. They’d definitely have to go to an ice cream parlor soon.
“Well, there’s whipped cream,” he said.
Her smile widened. “Oh. I’ve heard of some interesting things that can be done with whipped cream.”
How was it she’d heard of whipped cream in the bedroom, but not an ice cream sundae? Oh well. That was part of the puzzle that was Chloe Arish.
“So, is there anything else?” she asked.
“Oh yeah. Over the whipped cream, it’s covered with chopped walnuts.”
“Are you calling me nuts?”
He laughed. “Well…”
She shoved him, but she was still smiling.
“What else?”
Oh no. Don’t say it, Fierro. Don’t say it… “
And a cherry on top.” Damn it. I said it! Without waiting to explain that one, he quickly added, “There’s more dessert coming. Are you ready for it?”
* * *
He touched her intimately, inserting his fingers into her heat. She parted her thighs, doing what came naturally. It was a good thing Mother Nature gave her instincts. Having lived in a cave with a brother and sister most of her long life, she naturally had zero exposure to sex. And living in heavily Roman Catholic Ireland didn’t help fill in the blanks.
“Yes, you certainly are ready.” He rolled up onto his knees and positioned himself between her legs. “Give me one second.”
He rooted around under the mattress and came up with the packet he must have deposited there. After he tore it open, he placed a rubbery disc over the tip of his penis and unrolled it. Her curiosity was piqued, but she’d ask about that part later. Right now she was too engrossed in what was happening to stop him with questions.
He lowered himself over her, braced on his elbows. “Bend your knees, sweetheart.”
She did as he asked, and felt an odd sensation, but it wasn’t at all unpleasant. “Are you okay?” he paused and gazed into her eyes.
“I’m fine. Are you?”
He chuckled. “I’m great. But you need to know something… If you’ve never done this before, there might be a momentary stab of pain. I’ll do what I can to minimize it. As soon as it passes, you’ll feel wonderful. Do you trust me?”
She wasn’t afraid of a little pain. “Completely.”
“Okay. Hold on.”
She grasped him around the neck and he drove into her. He was right about the sharp stab of pain, but she’d endured much worse.
He stilled and stared into her eyes, as if searching for something.
“Ah, that was nuthin’,” she said.
He broke into a slow smile. “Okay. Here comes the fun part.”
He rocked into and out of her sensitive channel, and she loved the way it felt.
The whole movement became like a dance. As soon as she realized that, she again followed her body’s instincts and began dancing with him. He pressed into her, and she lifted her hips to meet him. He pulled away and she let her hips fall, but not so far as to lose him.
