by Em Petrova
“Everything all right, boss?”
“Fuck no! All wrong,” King said from the depths. “These idiots are the biggest pains in the ass. If I never saw another one of them again, it would be too soon. They actually went into my bedroom and redecorated it after I said it’s off-limits!” He stepped onto the porch and his gaze landed directly on Bellarose.
She took a step backward and twisted to leave.
“Wait! Dammit. Bellarose!”
She heard his boots hit the ground nearby and knew he’d leaped the steps.
“Wait.” He caught her elbow and dragged her to a stop. “It’s not you—I didn’t mean you. Hell, would you cover yourself? You’ve been parading around in front of everybody in that open shirt,” he growled, low.
Surprise made her jaw drop. The costume designer had used fabric tape to anchor the top open so the breeze wouldn’t expose her breasts to the whole set and it was comfortable enough that Bellarose had forgotten all about it.
Instead of covering herself, she left the blouse open and faced him.
“Jesus.” Throwing a look at his hired hands still standing on the porch watching their exchange, King grasped her by the wrist and pulled her around the side of the house.
“Let me go,” she demanded.
He released her, jaw working as if grinding his teeth. Finally, he yanked off his hat and raked his fingers through his hair, plowing little furrows in it. “I’m sorry, Bellarose. I don’t mean you’re a pain in the ass. I mean, at first, I thought you would be. I expected you to be. But from day one you showed me that you’re a hard worker and committed to everything you try.”
Some of her own anger flowed away, to be replaced by warmth at his words. It was a raw nerve in her when somebody made it sound like her work was a cake-walk or alluded that she was lazy. To hear King say she wasn’t felt nice.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
He pierced her in place with his unrelenting gaze.
Nerves made her bite into her lower lip. “Did you want to say something else to me?”
“Yes.” A long silent moment followed.
Then he came at her fast, pressing her back against the side of the house. A second before his mouth crashed over hers, he said, “Fucking hell.”
The instant his male flavors permeated her head, she lost control of her responses and threw her arms around him. Dragging him down the way she hadn’t in that scene with Chaz. Parting her lips for King’s sweeping tongue.
“I hated seeing you in his arms.” He ground out the words while tugging her lower lip with this teeth. She cried out at the sharp pleasure-pain of it and wrapped her leg high on his hip.
When King’s erection dug into her pussy, she welcomed the flood of arousal. Passion flowed up and she kissed him with everything she’d held back in those scenes because it wasn’t real and felt so wrong.
It felt so wrong because now I know what feels right.
“Jesus, I don’t want to stop,” he burst out, slanting his mouth across hers again and again. Suddenly, he drew back. “I have to stop. Your people are fucking everywhere on this ranch and I won’t have them seeing more of you than they already have.”
He traced the bare sliver of flesh in the opening of her blouse with his callused fingers. “God, you unhinge me, woman. This is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen and I’ve been going crazy all day knowing everyone was looking at you when it should be me.”
Her heart skittered and careened end over end at his words. King had never had a day of training in his life, yet the man knew how to deliver a line.
With soaking panties and her lips bruised from his kisses, she reached up to skim her thumb over his hard mouth. “So you like kissing me.”
“You’re a smart woman. Thought you would have figured that out.” He took her hand and placed it over the bulge in his jeans.
She moaned at the steely length she knew was equally as impressive as the man.
Just as quickly as he’d planted her hand there, he tore it away. Panting hard, he hovered over her, gazing into her eyes. “Bellarose, I’m sure men lose their heads over you daily.”
She didn’t respond. How to explain that none of those guys mattered?
“But it doesn’t happen to me every day.” He braced his hands on the wall on each side of her head and captured her lips again, taking the kiss from scorching to tender and filled with emotion. When he drew back, she was trembling.
“They’ll be looking for you.”
“I’m finished for the day.” Her voice was a breathless whisper on the breeze.
“They’ll still want to make sure you get back safe.”
She wasn’t known as a pushover female but a strong woman who knew what she wanted and how to get it. Straightening, she met his eyes. “What if I don’t want to leave?”
His eyes lidded, and he traced the corner of her lips with the big pad of his thumb. “Then I guess you get to see the updates they made to my bedroom.”
Chapter Six
Jesus, had he just propositioned a famous actor? He had. Hell, he was going to make a fool of himself.
She’d probably run on back to where the crew was staying and that would be the end of this burning attraction between them. He wouldn’t put it past her to put him in his place, and he deserved it too.
He watched the crew pack up their cameras, load them into trucks and head back out to the main road. Only a few cars remained and one of them was the rental vehicle Bellarose had arrived in. But when he looked around, he didn’t see her anywhere.
He spotted Dickson off to one side of the property speaking with someone, and King approached him slowly. He talked with his hands in an animated way. When he saw King, he said, “We’ll discuss this tomorrow.”
The young man moved off toward the vehicles.
Dickson touched his hat brim in greeting. “Bet you’re wondering if getting that thoroughbred is worth the trouble.”
“Mighta crossed my mind. Actually, I was coming to apologize.”
Dickson laughed. “I’m the one who should be apologizing. You’ve generously given us the run of your ranch and allowed us to upset your world and we didn’t adhere to the rules you set down. I guess a couple guys went out looking for the best places to shoot later in the week and failed to close the gates behind them. It won’t happen again.”
King nodded. “I appreciate it.”
“Speaking of our agreement, I wanted to compliment you. Bellarose has made a lot of leaps in her skill with horses.”
“She was dealing with the horses today?”
He gave a nod. “Short scene. The handlers adhered to all the ASPCA rules, I assure you.”
King wasn’t so much worried about that—he knew Dickson would never allow an animal to be abused or mishandled. But King was sorry to have missed Bellarose’s moment.
“Seems she also got some blisters.”
King drew his brows together. “Blisters?”
“Yes, when you mentioned someone had upended your barrel of feed, she went out back and shoveled it up.”
His heart gave a jolt. “Without gloves.”
Dickson nodded.
“Well, I guess I taught her right off to respect the things we use to care for the animals. Number one is feed.”
Dickson reached out and clapped King on the shoulder. “She’s still shaky on horseback and I’d like it if you’ll continue her training.”
He definitely had some training in mind when it came to that little beauty. A sliver of heat zigzagged through his body and gripped his cock.
“I spoke with her a while ago about it, actually.” King made up the exchange. “And she’s going to stay late and help me with evening chores.”
Dickson nodded. “Sounds good. We’ll send a car for her later then.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll bring her back myself.”
He eyed him.
“I’ve got a stop in town to make and it’s on the way.”
“All
right then. If Bellarose is all right with this, I'll sign off on her care.”
It struck King as odd that she would even need care. Then again, she came from a world where she needed a bodyguard just to visit the grocery store. If she even did her shopping herself.
She was a commodity to the show and that meant that her every need was met and every move was monitored to ensure she was safe, healthy and able to work. Until now, he hadn’t realized how that must weigh on her.
Feeling more protective than he had of anything in his life, he saw Dickson and the others off. He was damn relieved to have his ranch back. “What a long ass day,” he muttered to himself as he walked to the barn.
He had more than the horses to see to—Bellarose was waiting for him.
When he stepped inside, it took him a second for his eyes to adjust. But a soft body slammed him from the side. He caught her around the waist and lifted her off her feet, kissing her as he walked out into the yard. They didn’t make it five steps before she was tearing at his shirt and working open his belt.
“Slow down, baby. We’ve got time,” he whispered between her intense kisses.
“I want you, King. I’ve never wanted anyone so much.”
In the fading light, her hair was redder, her eyes more amber. Her cheeks were flushed pink and her lips looked like she’d spent hours nibbling them while she waited for him to get rid of everybody.
He dipped his head and latched his lips onto her smooth throat. His pulse hammered in his veins and his cock throbbed. In under a minute he could have her clothes off and her spread-eagle on the ground while he drove into her. But she deserved better than prickly ground and he wanted to take his good old time.
Especially since this would be a one-time performance. She wouldn’t want him again, and he was going to make the most of it.
She gasped as he reached a sensitive spot behind her ear and swirled his tongue over it. She clutched at his open shirt front. “King!”
“You changed your clothes.”
“They made me. That’s a costume.”
“Good. I never want to see you wearing another man’s shirt unless it’s mine.” He picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. As he strode to the house with her, their bodies rubbed together and the ache inside him built until he felt the swollen head of his cock might blow.
He’d probably make a fool of himself with her and come too soon. Nothing like a premature ejaculation to send a woman running for the mountains.
He mounted the steps with her in his arms and got the door open.
“I hope to hell nobody was left behind and is going to pop out of a corner,” he said as he kicked the door shut and twisted the deadbolt. Nobody ever visited him, but just in case, he didn’t want them bursting in.
Visions of Bellarose straddling him, her skin aglow as she rode up and down on his cock had his shaft straining.
He let her slide down the length of his body, watching pleasure cross her beautiful face as she did.
He shook his head.
“What is it?” She was breathless.
“I can’t believe I have such a beautiful woman locked inside my house.”
She gave a low chuckle that promised so much more. “I hope that isn’t your way of telling me you’re a serial killer.”
He cocked a brow. “Only cereal around here is served in a bowl with milk. Now c’mere.”
He yanked her against him, flush to his body. Chest to chest and hip to hip. She fit perfectly against his body, and the mere feel of her in his hold pulled a moan from his lips.
He took her mouth, drawing on her tongue until she moaned. As she worked his shirt off his shoulders, she raked at his flesh with her nails. He went for her clothes too.
Her top hit the floor soundlessly. “Fuck, you’re not wearing a bra.”
She raised her hands to cup her full breasts, allowing the dusky pink tips of her nipples to peek from between her fingers.
He let out a growl and went for her. Lifting her and navigating the rest of the space to reach his bedroom.
As he lay her down on the brand-new down comforter and pushed aside half a dozen plump pillows the crew had added to his private space, he fondled one breast and then the other. Small cries escaped her each time he’d brush against her nipples.
“Pinch them,” she begged.
Fuck, he was seeing a hint of the real Bellarose and she was driving him mad.
He teased the tip of one until it was hard and straining. Then he dipped his mouth to the other.
She cried out and cradled his head to her breasts as he sucked with wet pulls of his mouth and rolled her nipple between thumb and forefinger. Moving between her breasts, he left a trail of kisses. When he raised his head and pierced her in his stare, he couldn’t resist her plump lips.
He claimed them, and they tumbled on the bed until she was half atop him, her silken hair surrounding them.
When he brushed her hair over her shoulder, she shivered. With a glance over his bare chest, she said, “I can see why you want to take it slow. There’s a lot of places to put my mouth.”
“Hell.” He wrapped her hair around his fist and tipped her head back to suck at the place on her throat where her pulse hammered erratically. She tasted of sweet woman, and his mouth watered to learn each inch of her.
He flipped her over again, pinning her to the mattress. Pushing onto his knees, he began by removing her boots and socks. She watched him with a burning light in her eyes as he went for the buttons of her jeans. They were tight and harder to remove, and she ended up giggling as he struggled to get them off her heels.
“Remind me not to wear these around you anymore.”
His heart slammed his chest wall. She talked like this would happen again.
Then he spied her very tiny sky-blue panties and he stopped thinking altogether. Was she bare beneath that satiny fabric or would he find a small red bush to sink his tongue into?
His cock throbbed, and he wrapped his fingers around the outline of it in his jeans. Molding the cloth to his erection and giving it a light stroke to hold back his pending orgasm.
She watched through lidded eyes and lifted her hands to her breasts once more.
He covered her hands with his own and they stared at each other. “Bellarose, I’m old enough to know what I want and how to get it. I might not be gentle at times.”
She shuddered. Her pink tongue darted out to wet her lips. “I want the real you, King. That’s all.”
Pulling him down, she kissed him, her tongue working over his until he thought he’d blow without ever getting his jeans off. As he broke the kiss, he whispered to her while moving down her body. Kissing the crest of one breast.
“Your skin feels so good under my lips. My hands.”
She made a soft noise of want.
He reached her nipple and bit it lightly. “These are so hard for me.”
She writhed under him.
As he raked his rough jaw over her fine flesh, he dotted tiny kisses over her ribcage. “So delicate and yet I see your strength.”
“King,” she burst out on a sigh.
“I can smell your arousal and I want to make you come for me.” Using one finger, he drew her panties down her thighs to reveal her mound coated in a trim patch of red curls.
“Jesus,” he breathed against her.
When she parted her thighs for him, flashing her wet core, he couldn’t hold back another second. He flattened his tongue over her slick seam, groaning as her flavor hit his senses.
* * * * *
Bellarose had imagined this moment with King half a dozen times, but never had her imagination led her to his bed. She’d pictured him taking her roughly against the barn wall, bent over a hay bale or even out in the open beneath the cloud-studded Washington sky.
This was even better. Fisting his covers as he trailed his tongue over her pussy, down to the entrance and pumping his tongue in and out before he moved upward to swirl his tongue around
her hard clit.
Her insides quivered, and she bucked upward for more. He made another of those masculine sounds of his and probed her folds with his fingertips. Launching her another hundred feet up the steep slope of bliss.
She widened her thighs to give him total access and he lifted his head, watching her as he worked his fingers inside her pussy. Inch by inch she felt his roughness fill her up.
Shaking, she begged him with her eyes, words beyond her.
“You’re soaking for me.” His voice was building her need. Each word he murmured against her skin had her nearly peaking. He edged his fingers deeper, stretching her with his long digits.
He curled them, hitting her inner wall. She flooded his hand, and he let out a grunt. “So fucking hot for me. I want my name on your lips all night, darlin’.”
“King,” she whispered, grabbing his hair and pressing him back down to her clit.
When he enveloped the bundle of nerves with his hot mouth, he simultaneously sank his fingers to the knuckles. She cried out as her pussy pulsated around the invasion, trying to suck him in deeper.
Wet noises filled the air as he lapped her clit and fucked her pussy with his fingers. When she started to rhythmically tighten around him, he pressed up on a spot high inside. Her hips jerked. She fisted his hair.
A release hit so hard that it stole her breath. She lay writhing as he drew on her clit and fingered her faster while waves of pleasure assaulted her. She couldn’t get close enough to his warm, wet tongue and bucked upward. He suctioned his lips around her clit and didn’t let up until she collapsed to the bed with a cry.
He continued to gently nudge her hard nub with his tongue while easing his fingers out. Juices flowed down her inner thigh.
“We’ll have to try that again. You didn’t scream my name.”
“Oh my God.”
“That’ll do.” He gave her that crooked grin that slayed her and drew his fingers out. He painted her wetness over her seam, moving up and down until she was shaking again and that knot was back in her stomach.
Then he rolled off the bed and she watched as he gave her a sexy striptease. Just watching the muscles of his arms, shoulders, chest and abs work as he removed his boots had her twitching to touch him. But when he popped the button of his jeans, she saw the V of his underwear, his cock thick and straining against the cloth. She could practically trace a vein up the shaft to the tip, which poked over the rim of his waistband.
