by Sarah Curtis
His mouth reached her lower stomach, his tongue licking the skin along the waistband of her sleep shorts. Her stomach muscles fluttered. It tickled and she had to suppress a giggle.
Alec looked up, a smirk on his lips. "Ticklish?"
"Very."
A wicked spark entered his eyes. "Oh, the thoughts running through my head." He slowly pulled her shorts down, exposing her to the cool air and his warm breath.
"What... thoughts?" Did she really want to know?
If possible, his expression became even more sinister. "Exactly what I'm going to do to discover all your ticklish spots."
He slid her shorts down her legs, and all the air left her lungs in a rush. This was it, do or die time. She felt her legs squeeze together at her indecision. Caught up in the heat of the moment, the choice seemed easy. Now, with the removal of the last barrier of her clothing, feeling so exposed, she wasn't so sure. She did know, whatever she decided, it had to be quick.
Noting her hesitancy, Alec slid back up her body, so their faces were level. "Tell me what you're thinking."
"Foolish thoughts." And they were. Why couldn't she just switch her brain off and enjoy the sexy man hovering over her? Why did she have to make things so complicated?
"Your thoughts could never be foolish."
She gave a bark of laughter. "You don't know me well enough to come to that conclusion."
He ran the fingers of one hand through her hair, scraping it back from her temple before holding her head firmly in place. "I know enough." Rolling to his side, he propped an elbow on the bed, his head resting on his open palm. He studied her as his fingers slowly combed through her tresses, returning back to her scalp when his fingers reached the ends. Over and over. A relaxing touch meant to soothe, and it was doing its job.
He'd been silent a few minutes, so his next words startled her from her tranquil cocoon. "I know you're smart. I can give you any number of examples to prove that fact. If you'd like to spend the next hour discussing it, we can. But if you'd like to put that time to better use..."
He let his words trail off, and she couldn't help but laugh at the sly look on his face. Knowing she was being silly and just delaying the inevitable—it truly seemed he was her undoing—she rolled her body into his. The peaks of her breasts brushed along the firmness of his chest, causing them both to quickly inhale a sharp breath.
His hand slid from her hair down to her back, pressing her into him harder. As if reading her thoughts correctly, he eerily said, "If it's any consolation, I haven't been able to get you out of my head since the first moment I saw you."
"You... I... But..." His lips came down on hers before she could stutter her way to a complete sentence. And then, per usual where Alec's kisses were concerned, she stopped thinking and only felt.
The desire lying dormant just below the surface flared to life with but one touch. Yearning bloomed deep in her belly, traveling lower, creating a growing ache between her thighs. She hooked a leg over his hip, pressing into him, trying to convey without words the need for his touch. He answered her call by rolling her to her back, sliding his hand down her stomach and over her mound to slip his fingers through her folds. She arched into his touch, riding his fingers while his mouth devoured her breast.
Her breathing turned ragged as her orgasm drew near. His hot mouth, laving tongue, and biting teeth made a path back up her neck, and it was her undoing when he whispered gruffly in her ear, "Come for me, sweetheart. I want to feel your pussy clench my fingers and your cum soak my hand."
She did as ordered with an orgasm so strong, she was boneless in its aftermath.
* * * * *
Eyes closed, head tipped back, lips slightly parted, River was beautiful. Watching her post orgasm—her body limp and her face relaxed with just a trace of a smile—Alec felt something shift in his chest, an unfamiliar feeling filling the void. Something peaceful and calm, coating him with warmth while at the same time, causing his heart to beat erratically. He wasn't a stranger to having a woman in his arms while under him on a bed. But the emotions filling his chest and clogging his throat while partaking in those particular acts with River? Those feelings were new.
He wasn't sure what they meant, but he did know it was something special. That the woman in his arms, lying under him was special. Had known it from the first moment he'd laid eyes on her. He just hadn't known the impact her brand of special would have on him.
He traced a finger down the soft skin of her cheek, and her eyes opened. He saw a small furrow form between her brows. He forced his features to go blank, knowing she wasn't on the same page as him. She thought they were having a holiday fling, and he didn't want to scare her off with the crazy thoughts swirling through his head. And they were crazy, even he knew they were. But he'd been around the block enough times to know, the woman lying under him now was a keeper, and he was keeping her.
River traced a finger down his cheek, mimicking his actions. "I hate when you do that."
It was his turn to frown. "Do what?"
"Hide what you're thinking." He opened his mouth to reply, but she continued speaking. "Oh, I know why you do it. Ingrained training. Natural instinct. Never let them see you sweat. Yadda-yadda. I just wish you wouldn't do it with me." Alec gave a bark of laughter, and her eyes flashed. "What's so funny?"
"Sweetheart, I'm not sure if anyone's ever told you this, but you've got one of the best poker faces I've ever seen. Remember our bet? What I'd meant by that explains it was, finding out you were a poker player solved the mystery of why I couldn't read you. And I'm a master at reading people's faces." He cupped his hand under her chin, his thumb stroking across her lips. "So, I'd say we're in the same boat."
Her lips curled into a smile. "Never thought of it that way, but I guess it's true. We are on a level playing field."
"Oh, there's nothing even about us, sweetheart. The ball's in your court and it always has been."
That cute little furrow was back. He was dubbing it her thinking face. But he didn't want her thinking, and they'd sure as hell had done enough talking. He stood from the bed, his fingers reaching for the button on his slacks. "But now, I'm going to let my actions speak. You won't need to read my face to know what I intend to do with you."
She sat up, her eyes moving to his hands, watching as he rid himself of the rest of his clothing. He noticed where her eyes landed and fixated, so took himself in hand, slowly stroking his cock, giving her the full show. Her eyes widened and she licked her lips. Fuck, that was sexy.
Reaching for his pants, he pulled out his wallet and grabbed a row of five condoms from the billfold.
He heard River laugh, and his eyes moved to her. "You keep a strip of condoms in your wallet?"
Alec felt heat hit his cheeks. Fuck, if that wasn't the second time she'd made him blush. "Not usually, no, but I was feeling optimistic when I left my room to pick you up this evening."
She raised a brow. "Clearly."
Damn, how she could look and sound so prim and proper while seductively sitting naked on a bed was a mystery. But, fuck him, if it wasn't the biggest fucking turn on. He planted a knee to the bed while scooping her under the arms, lifting her. Falling to his back, he plopped her on his stomach, straddling his hips.
His hands roamed down her sides, stopping when he reached her hips, squeezing them. "I want to watch your tits bounce while you ride my cock."
She gave him another single brow raise which he discovered really turned him the fuck on if the hardening of his dick was anything to go by. Although, to be honest, anything River did made him hard. Her hands were flat against his pecs as she tipped slightly forward, her long hair tickling his shoulders and partly shielding her face. "And what if I h
ad something else in mind?"
He raised his hands, tucking the swaying strands behind her ears to clear his view but realized it was a futile effort when the heavy locks fell forward once more. He gave her a smirk. "I'm open to suggestions."
"Well..." She got up on her knees slowly shifting down his legs. "I was thinking..." She took his cock in her hand and slowly stroked him from base to tip, letting her thumb rub across the head, smearing the drop of precum she discovered. "Maybe a little pre-main-event activity."
He stopped breathing as he watched her head lower, her tongue coming out and licking around his crown. Her eyes flicked up to his, and his mind flashed, taking a mental picture of how she looked just then. Never wanting to forget the dreamy look in her eyes, the slight blush on her cheeks, or the light shining on her plump red lips.
He sucked in a deep breath as her lips surrounded him, taking his cock to the back of her throat. Her tongue played along his length, and he fisted the comforter to keep his hands from clutching her hair to control her actions. As torturous as it was, he wanted her to do her own thing, figuring it would be better to ease her into his own brand of control. His River was strong, he knew that just by the way she took command of her brother's situation. He even loved that about her. But in bed, she would soon learn he'd be in control, and he'd make damn sure she loved every minute.
Normally, he wouldn't worry with pretense, he liked what he liked, and women weren't around long enough for him to bother. But he planned on keeping River in his bed for a very long time. Forever, if he had it his way. That left them plenty of time to work out their bedroom dynamics.
Her hand squeezing his balls with her mouth working his cock brought him close to the edge. He pulled her up his body, rolling them until she was tucked snug beneath him.
"I wasn't done." Her cute-as-fuck little furrow was back, and he couldn't resist kissing between her brows.
"Yes, you were."
"Um... no, I wasn't."
"Do you want my hard cock planted deep inside your pussy?"
She turned a light shade of red. "You have a filthy mouth."
He gave her a smirk. "You love it." He knew he was right when she turned even redder. "Now, answer my question. Do you want my hard cock," he slid said cock over her clit, making her moan, "deep inside your pussy?"
"Yes," she gasped, tipping her head back and her pelvis up.
"Then you were done, or I would have finished in your mouth and not in your pussy where we both want it." He punctuated the sentence with a kiss to her lips. His tongue slid into her mouth, finding hers and going to battle. This elicited another moan, which he loved to hear, but he'd rather hear her scream, especially his name while he brought her to orgasm.
His hands found her tits, pinching her nipples as he plundered her mouth, and his hard length ground against her clit.
Her legs fell open, and her hands found his back, her nails digging into the skin.
Now it was his turn to groan. Ripping his mouth from hers, he latched onto a nipple, sucking it in deep and flicking it with his tongue.
Her breathing increased, and he heard her chanting something under her breath, but he couldn't make out the words. He lifted his head. "What was that, sweetheart?"
Her head popped up, and she stared down her chest at him. "Oh, my God. Don't stop."
He chuckled, trailing light nipping kisses down her stomach until he reached her mound. Soft, dark-golden curls lead way to smooth lips, he leaned in and licked. "Just as sweet as I'd imagined." He tongued at her clit until she was squirming then gently bit down before sucking the little nub into his mouth.
Keeping one hand on her thigh to hold it wide, his other hand moved up, skimming over the concave of her stomach and the silky skin over her ribs until he reached her breast. Covering the generous globe, he gave it a squeeze before finding and pinching her nipple, rolling it between his fingers.
She bucked, almost dislodging him from his prize.
"Please."
He looked up at her breathy moan. "Please what, sweetheart?"
With eyes half closed and hands fisting the pillow under her head, she was alluring and so fucking tempting. Thank fuck she was all his. "Please, I need more."
Without a word, but never taking his gaze from hers, he got up on his knees. Reaching out and snagging the row of condoms he'd thrown carelessly on the bed, he ripped off one packet, opened it, and then made quick work of rolling it on.
Hovering over her, he locked his eyes with hers as he slowly slipped into her pussy. With her heat surrounding him, and her slick walls sucking at his dick, he discovered heaven.
Her lids fell closed and he captured her chin. "Open your eyes." He needed to stare into her bright-green orbs, wanted to ingrain himself onto her soul as he claimed her body as his own.
He took the first few thrusts nice and slow, letting her adapt, her walls stretching to accommodate his intrusion. "Fuck you feel good. So fucking tight."
Feet planted firmly on the bed, she surged up to meet his every thrust. Faster and harder, he pounded into her. Her hands clutched at his shoulders, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, desperately hanging on. Her heavy pants and light moans turned into a loud shout of his name when her whole body tightened—her hands gripping his shoulders, her legs squeezing tightly around his waist, and her pussy squeezing his cock—as the orgasm crashed through her.
"Don't look away." Her green eyes blazing, he stared into their depths until he found his release. Then his lips crashed down on hers.
Her fate had been sealed.
Chapter Twelve
The room was abuzz with activity. Too many poker tables for River to visually count were scattered in some form of haphazard organization. Dealers dressed in traditional black and white, players in a variety of fashions, and hotel staff denoted by their tropical attire milled about. An excited energy hung in the air, creating a nervous hum tingling through her body.
As River stood in line, waiting to sign in to the tournament, she casually looked around, hoping to spot Alec.
He'd left her fully content and pleasantly sore in the early morning hours, saying he needed to shower and get ready for the tournament. Still drowsy from their vigorous nocturnal activities, she'd fallen back into a restful slumber until the blinding morning sun penetrated her closed lids, bringing her to full wakefulness.
She hadn't heard from him since.
Not that she'd expected to hear from him within only five short hours of parting, but a tiny part of her was still a little disappointed there hadn't been a missed phone call or text from him when she'd checked her phone upon waking. Her silent phone also made it clear she wasn't a "vacation fling" kind of girl. Which was a pity because she wouldn't mind one more "fling" with the man before her vacation ended, she just wasn't sure if her heart could take it.
She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to the guy standing behind her. He was tall and close, so she needed to tip her head back to take in his face. In his mid-to-late twenties, he was boyishly cute with shaggy light-brown hair cut short on the sides but longer in front, so it fell in his dark-brown eyes. Dressed in poker-casual, his T-shirt—sporting a popular online poker logo—and worn, loose-fit jeans covered a sleek, athletic build.
"Name's Chris Porter." He held out a hand and smiled, revealing even white teeth and dimples in his clean-shaven cheeks. "Do you mind holding my place in line? This is taking longer than anticipated. Need to hit the little boys room real quick." He had a soft, southern twang.
River suppressed a smile at his choice of bathroom euphemisms while taking his hand. His grip was firm yet gentle, and she noticed the rough scrape of calluses on his palm. The name wasn't one
she was familiar with, though she hadn't been as diligent the past year as she once had been in her research of the poker world. "Um, yeah, sure."
"Thanks, darlin'."
She smirked at his retreating back.
"Wouldn't mind going head-to-head with that fine-looking man."
River looked over at the woman who'd inched up a spot in line. Her eyes were on Chris's retreating form, too, only lower, in the vicinity of his ass. She was a little older than River, maybe in her early thirties, and decked out in a snug, low-cut top and painted on jeans. Her hair and makeup were perfect and though she wasn't beautiful, she definitely tipped the scales of very pretty.
Done watching the view, her eyes found River's. Her smile seemed genuine as she looked River over. "Don't meet many women poker players, especially at an event like this." She raised a brow, obviously trying to place River's face. "Don't recognize you, but you must be someone if you're here."
It was a subtle hint, and she'd had the same thought. Wanting her own four-one-one, she shared, "River Kingston."
The woman's smile turned into a grin. "Ah, the elusive and mysterious River Kingston." She held out a red-lacquered, talon-tipped hand. "Sally Rodgers."
This name she'd heard of. Even being out of the loop, she'd still kept track of the female players. There weren't enough of them in River's opinion. "You placed third in the Winter Deep Stack tournament in Dallas. Caused quite a stir."
"And you being here, your first professional showing, will probably create an even bigger one." Sally tipped her head to the side, seeming to ponder something, but River knew it was all for show. "Makes one wonder, after all this time, why now?"
At only twenty-four, River felt all this time was a stretch but didn't voice her opinion. Instead, she shrugged. "It's in the blood, I guess."
A commotion near the door drew River's eyes. And in walked Alec. Not dressed for comfort, he was one of a small few in a suit. Knowing what was hiding under that suit brought an unexpected warmth to her cheeks and a sappy smile to her lips. Geez, she had it bad.
