When You're With Me

by Wendi Zwaduk

  Pink rushed into her cheeks. “How are you prejudiced, other than being slightly warped in your sense of beauty?”

  “I like you…a lot.”

  Jude bobbed her head to move a lock of hair from her eyes. “Even with my unconventional job and less-than-stellar looks?”

  Ramon pressed kisses to her cheeks, making his way to her ear. Her breath on his neck sent shivers along his spine. “I like you because you’re Jude. The job has nothing to do with my feelings. And don’t say you’re not gorgeous. I will take you over my knee until your ass shines from my paddling.”

  She jerked out of his arms. Her hands covered the smile blossoming on her lips. “Really? Spanking?”

  “Whatever works.” He nodded at the benches. “Will you show me your work?”

  Jude surged into his arms and rubbed her cheek on his chest. “Soon. I didn’t get anything done today.”

  Ramon kissed the top of her head and stroked her back. “Then come home with me?”

  Jude leant back a bit. “We live in the same building. You dropped me off.” She cocked a brow. “Aren’t you already going to take me home? Or are we taking another road trip?”

  He cupped her chin. “Smart aleck. You knew what I meant.”

  She stuck her hands in his back pockets. “I’m keeping you on your toes.”

  Ramon held her close, leading her to his car. “You know how to take a sentimental moment and knock it on its ear.”

  “Then take me somewhere…anywhere with you.”

  “Yes.” Ramon squeezed her thigh.

  Ramon led her to his new ride. Jude stopped short and pointed at the rusty excuse for a car. “Let me guess. More car trouble? This thing doesn’t look like it can make it five miles, let alone get us across town.”

  “She moves well for being a beater car.” He opened the passenger door. “I didn’t like the colour of the other car. I wanted to drive the Kia this time.”

  “You’re a confusing man sometimes. Nobody goes through cars like you.” She plopped down in the seat and gripped her bag tight.

  “I’m fickle.” Ramon grinned before he rounded the hood. He drove them across town, even though he’d rather have gone anywhere but the fleabag hotel. He had to keep up appearances.

  He pulled into a parking space and killed the engine. “Ready to go inside or are you having second thoughts?”

  “And lose the chance to see you naked for a change?” She opened her car door and slammed it shut. “No way, but slow down.” Her footsteps slapped the concrete behind him. When he stopped to open the door, she wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. He tugged her into the open elevator car and turned around in her embrace.

  “Okay, I’m a little…excited.” She buried her face against his shoulder.

  The bell for their floor pinged and the elevator opened. Ramon escorted her down the hallway and opened the door to his apartment. Instead of behaving like the confident woman he’d spent the weekend with, Jude ducked her head and crept past him.

  “Sweets?” He closed the door, but kept it unlocked. “What, babe?” He led her to the couch and pulled her down onto his lap, giving her the advantage if she wanted to leave. “We can take things slow.”

  “I can’t,” she whispered.

  “Can’t?” Things didn’t make sense. He’d tasted her skills, indulged in her sensual moves. She wasn’t a…virgin?

  Nah. She couldn’t be.

  “I’ve…never”—she waved her hands in front of her face—”done it.”

  A virgin. Holy fuck. Would he be man enough to satisfy her fantasy? His desire sped past hyper-drive into supersonic. Whatever was happening between them was so much more than lust or a need to notch his belt. He was falling for her…hard.

  “I feel so stupid.” Jude’s fair complexion went bright pink. Her voice was a whisper. “I gotta go.”

  She attempted to get off his lap, but he caught her in his arms. He had to have her. No more panic, no more fear. He slid her back onto his lap and smoothed her hair away from her face. “You’re a virgin.” His heart pounded triple time. Even more reason to get her naked without a crowd watching. “I don’t mind. Actually, I’m intrigued and honoured.”

  Her jaw dropped involuntarily. “You don’t mind?”

  His eyes searched hers. “I don’t understand how you can get up there and dance for those fools, but if you’ve never had sex, I understand. Well… I don’t really get it, but I don’t care.” Ramon kissed the tip of her nose. So it wasn’t the smoothest explanation—chalk it up to testosterone logic. Desire coiled in his belly, making it hard to think straight.

  “I haven’t found anyone who I thought was decent enough to sleep with.” Jude stared at her lap. “I’ve had boyfriends, but none were serious or treated me with any real respect.”

  He brushed his fingers along her jaw to bring her eyes to his. Intensity and raw desire filled her eyes. He needed to know where she stood. “What makes me so special? You could have your pick of willing men.”

  Jude brought her lips to his in a hungry, consuming kiss. “I don’t get it myself, but you make me feel attractive and that’s never happened before. I know you’re holding something back from me, but I don’t regret our time together.”

  Ramon returned her kiss with ferocity. Desirable, horny, needy, hot, spellbound…and on and on. It all described how she made him feel. But was she serious? No one had ever told her she was attractive? Were her previous dates blind? She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, inside and out. The past and the undercover operation didn’t matter—he wanted to be her future.

  “I knew you were special from the moment I first saw you.” He claimed her neck. Lord, he wanted her. “I don’t regret a thing I’ve gone through with you.”

  Jude nodded and clutched his shirt. “I guess I need some instruction if this is supposed to go smoothly.” Her voice was breathy, sensuous, and timid. “Please?”

  “I’m a pretty good teacher.” Ramon claimed her mouth once more. Virgin or not, he had to have her. The sooner, the better. Why? Because Jude was different. She made the blood course through his veins, as if she slammed every nerve ending in his body into overdrive without a second thought. Loving her was too easy and felt too right to be real. No way was he going to stop. The drug bust be damned for one night.

  Jude curled into his body, pressing her soft curves into his chest. Her eyes drooped closed and she moaned. The sound of her excitement sent him over the edge, knowing he’d caused it.

  Ramon smoothed his fingers over her breasts. Damn—she wore a bra. He longed to feel her bare nipples growing taut for his touch without hindrance. Next time. Her breath quickened and her hands shot up to clasp his. “Ramon!” His body wanted to rush her, but his heart made him take his time. For her, he’d progress as slowly as possible. Ramon kissed her hands and placed them at her sides. Her pleasure was of utmost importance. He could wait until later to sate himself. He kneaded her breasts. “You tell me how far we’ll go.”

  She leant back just enough for him to push the jacket over her shoulders then pull her T-shirt over her head, tousling her hair. Her lacy white bra gave him a teasing peek at her breasts. The look drove Ramon wild. He brushed her hair away from her face and latched on to her collarbone. She answered him by tilting her head back to grant him better access.

  “Take your shirt off,” she commanded, seeming to forget herself. “I’ve seen you so many times, but I don’t know what you look like. Show me.”

  Momentarily breaking their bond, Ramon ripped his T-shirt up over his head. She had deft fingers. His nipples pebbled under her touch.

  The straps of her bra slipped off her shoulders as she bent to take one in her teeth.

  A moan escaped Ramon’s throat. Her passion-filled response both shocked and turned him on more. He hadn’t thought this degree of lust was possible. He continued to brush her hair away from her face so he could watch her work. For a novice, she knew his body instinctively.

>   He couldn’t keep his hands or mouth off her. He unhooked the catch on her bra in order to sample the rosy nipples he’d lusted after for the past few nights. The primal urge to conquer and own her threatened his common sense. She wasn’t a slave available for purchase—she was a treasure. “So pink and perfect,” he complimented in a gravelly voice. His hands tugged at the waistband of her jeans. He needed more of her…all of her. Now. “Babe, do you trust me?”

  Jude’s head bobbed up. A lock of hair obscured her flushed face. He sensed her hesitation.

  “What?” Was she second-guessing?

  “If you trust me, I’ll leave you satisfied. Do you trust me?”

  Jude hesitated and licked her lips before she unbuttoned her garments. She slid out of her pants and underwear in one swift motion. “I trust you completely.”

  Her unabashed faith dazed Ramon. He’d imagined her withdrawal because of his blunt question. When she didn’t turn away from him, he wanted her even more. He could have everything.

  Ramon caressed her bare ass. He swatted her playfully and enjoyed her yelp of pleasure. As she moved in to straddle his lap, the silky skin between her thighs captivated him. “You wax?” he blurted inadvertently. He felt like a clumsy teenager trying to get to first base with the homecoming queen. Real suave.

  “I need to look smooth in a thong. There’s nowhere to hide,” she replied in a raspy voice. Jude’s honesty continued to shock, rivet and rock him. She covered her stomach. “Well, I can’t hide much.”

  Ramon bent to kiss her folds. “Do you know you’re beautiful? And so honest.”

  Embarrassed, she turned her face from his. Ramon caressed a hand over her cheek to bring her eyes back to his. “Beautiful and perfect.”

  A tiny smile crossed her lips. Ramon nodded. That’s my sweet girl.

  “Do you like being kissed here?” He nudged her legs even farther apart and explored the undiscovered region of her folds and opening with his tongue. A shudder ran the length of his spine as Jude opened farther for him. He wanted to touch and pleasure her everywhere, loving her with his mouth. Slick and sweet. “What about here?”

  Jude shifted and lifted her hips, giving him better access. “I’ve…never…” She gasped. Her nails scraped along his arms. Ramon teased her pussy and tasted her clit, basking in her excitement. He’d never taken much pleasure out of going down on a woman—he’d been too selfish…until he’d met Jude. She took him at face value.

  His tongue darted around her throbbing wet clit, tormenting her to the brink of orgasm. To prepare her for sex, he slipped one finger into her sopping sheath. Jude bucked her hips and yelped. “Oh, God.”

  To heighten her climax, he added another finger. His tongue danced around her swollen clit while his fingers pumped into her folds, simulating intercourse.

  Jude writhed and screamed his name.

  Ramon couldn’t get enough of the feeling of her muscles tightening around him. Wet, perfect and new—no question she really was a virgin.

  “Come for me, sweet girl.” He increased his intensity on her body. “I’m doing this all for your pleasure. Yes. Let it go.”

  She squealed. “I…oh!”

  He knew she was holding back, afraid to give in to the orgasm. “I’ll never hurt you. You’re safe. Come for me,” he said in a soothing voice. “I want to feel everything you have for me.”

  Her gaze connected with his. Her breathing hitched and her hips bucked off the sofa. Jude screamed. “Ramon!”

  Ramon slowed his assault on her and eased up next to her sated body. Lord, he’d nearly come as he’d got her off. He pulled her into his arms and cradled her on his lap. What would it sound like to hear her call his real name? He wanted to know and soon. “Did I hurt you?”

  Dazed, Jude barely shook her head in response. Ramon’s mind wrapped around the fact that he was her first—she didn’t know how to react and he wasn’t sure what to think. Something deep inside him was pleased to claim her. “Talk to me, sweet girl.”

  She whimpered. “Wow. There’s no words.”

  Ramon caressed her stomach. His fingers grazed over something smooth and foreign on her body. He glanced down her body to the barbell that glittered in the soft lamplight. The piercing itself didn’t shock him—plenty of the other strippers had the same piercing. Why did she have one? Were there any others?

  “Jude, when did you get the bellybutton piercing?”

  She sighed and averted her eyes. “I did it to please a man.” Her voice was hazy.

  Ramon flicked the metal with his fingers. “Did it work?” He winced. Why was he suddenly afraid to find out?

  Jude shook her head. “No. He said I looked slutty. I didn’t want to do it, but he said that something daring would boost my self-esteem.”

  Ramon swallowed a bemused chuckle. The tiny thing looked daring and sexy to him. “A ring with a glittery flower or jewel would better fit your personality, from what I can tell. Why a barbell? “

  Her eyes slowly met his. Sadness brewed, tugging at his heart. “I had a barbell with a flower on the bottom when I first got it done. He said it looked ridiculous. When he left me, I kept the piercing, but went with a plain barbell. It looked less obtrusive and reminded me that quick decisions make lasting impressions…or, in this case, holes. Plus, I equate barbells with strength—if that makes any sense.”

  He wanted to beat the man senseless for walking away from her. Then again, Ramon was secretly glad, or he’d have never had a chance with her. Before the night ended, he needed to make love to her.

  “Have you showered since you left the college?”

  Her eyes cleared and she covered her breasts. “What kind of post-almost-sex question is that?”

  Okay, so he’d said the wrong thing. Uncertainty clouded her face and she shied away from him. He’d definitely screwed up. If there had been any trust before, he’d just killed it. She probably thought he was a hygiene freak.

  “Trust me.” Ramon kissed her shoulder and left a purplish mark. “I wasn’t trying to run you off. I thought you might like to relax in a hot shower. With me.”

  Jude arched her brow but didn’t back any further away. Instead she bit her lip, as if to consider his proposition. After a long moment, she nodded. “Okay.”

  Ramon allowed himself to breathe. An opening. Thank God for the opening. All he had to figure out was how to convince her to stay for more than one night. Talk about the impossible. He kissed her temple. “You’ll love this.”

  Jude’s eyes widened as she entered the bathroom. “Are you sure this will work?” She averted her gaze. “I’m not sk–”

  Ramon brushed his fingers over her hand and felt her shiver. “Relax, sweet girl. You’re beautiful.” He wanted to pull her close and lick the sensitive spot on her shoulder where it connected to her neck. The faint scent of rose and aroused female tickled his nose.

  Jude turned and nuzzled against his bare chest. Ramon groaned—he couldn’t fathom how such a light caress could send his senses reeling. He shivered as she raked her fingers down his chest. Pinpricks of electricity heated his skin. The catch in her breath sounded promising. Did she like what she saw?

  Ramon scooped her into an embrace. A small cry, like the coo of a dove, came from deep in her throat. He brushed his fingers along her smooth mound, the undersides of her breasts and lightly across her taut nipples. Jude shuddered, sensitive to his every caress.

  “You’re phenomenal.” He took a puckered nipple in his mouth. “Sexy and primed.”

  Jude reached out to him then yanked her hand back.

  “Explore away, babe.” She could fondle whatever and wherever she wanted. He’d teach her anything she wanted to learn.

  Ramon wanted to tell her that he craved her for the rest of his life. Hell, he’d never wanted a woman like he wanted her. She wasn’t a one-nighter. She was a once-in-a-lifetime love—his lifetime love. Why was it so hard to admit?

  Because, if Jude didn’t feel the same, Ramon wouldn’t survive t
he rejection.

  Her eyes stayed glued to his chest as she spoke. “Have you ever made love in the shower?”

  Jude’s simple, innocent question caught Ramon off guard and he fumbled for an answer. He knew she was hip to his past—she had to be. Somehow, he didn’t want to admit he’d had other lovers before her. He wanted her to be his first and last.

  “I have, but I’d like to with you more than anything.”

  “Me, too.”

  Jude claimed his mouth under the spray of water. Things had definitely improved since that morning. For the first time in more years than she could count, she felt attractive. Ramon gave her hope that her future could be bright. And now the object of her obsession wanted to have sex with her. She wanted things to continue to get better, but the inevitable fall scared her shitless.

  His calloused hands rubbed her ass. “Jude, I can’t get enough of you.”

  Why did she feel so tempted to bury her face in his chest and simply breathe in his scent? Because she finally felt wanted and adored. Ramon lapped at her jaw and neck while whispering words of praise in her ear. She could stand this kind of treatment for a long time.

  “I want to feel you all around me. Turn around.” Ramon smoothed one soapy hand across her breasts and the other down between her thighs. He toyed with her clit, sending shards of lust through her body. “The first time will hurt, sweets. I can’t change that.”

  “I know.” Jude clenched her teeth—he had an immense cock. She glanced over her shoulder and nodded. “I want you to make love to me.”

  Ramon pushed his cock against the mouth of her pussy. Oh God. Was he going to fit? No turning back now. She flattened her hands on the chipped tile wall. Inch by inch, he entered her. She bit down on her bottom lip. The farther he went, the more it hurt, but it was pleasure-filled pain. Her breasts grew tight as they heaved and bounced with each thrust. The one and only time she’d attempted sex, the act had ended with pain and embarrassment.

  “Touch yourself, babe. See how slick you are,” he murmured. “You’re doing everything right and making me crazy to fulfil your desires. The hurt will pass in a little bit.”