by Ashlyn Chase
The flutter in his stomach was dropping lower and heating up, signaling the time to either pull away, or take her right on the laundry room floor. He stepped back and drew a deep breath, watching her eyes flicker open as she continued to lean against the dryer.
In an effort to control himself, he said, “If you want something washed before a Monday you can use the washer and dryer. That’s when I send my dirty stuff out.”
“Well, since it’s Sunday and all of my stuff is clean, I shouldn’t need the service or the laundry room.”
“Unless you stay longer than a week.”
Her amber eyes grew large and ignited his fire all over again. “You think I’ll need to?”
He placed his hands on either side of her trim waist and pulled her toward him again. “I think I may want you to.”
“We’d better wait and see.” She draped her arms around his neck and headed for his lips.
“Wait. I have to show you the second floor.”
Her gaze traveled south to the bulge in his pants and she started giggling. “The sooner the better by the looks of it.”
Vic grinned and said, “Race ya!”
She took off after him as he ran. He rounded the corner, into what looked like his office, out the other side, and sprinted up the stairs.
He dashed past the balcony railing to the rooms on the left throwing each door open as he jogged by. “Here’s a bedroom, here’s a bedroom, my home gym. Okay. Now turn around and go the other way. My room is at the other end.”
Michele led the chase now. She flew past a large master bath and double closet.
Skidding to a stop in front of the massive king-sized bed, she turned around and landed on it with a bounce, in a sitting position. “I win.”
“Ah, so you did.” His eyes darkened. “So did I.”
He removed his shirt, exposing what he knew was an impressive tanned and muscled chest.
She stared at him as if he were a perfect specimen of manhood, and said, “Nice pecs. Maybe I’m a breast-man too.” The afternoon sun coming through the window glowed golden on his taut body and she bent to suckle one of his nipples. He groaned in appreciation. She stopped, suckled the other one, and nipped it slightly, coming up with an impish grin on her face.
She tossed off her black knit jersey and thrust her breasts, covered by the black lace bra, toward him. Vic didn’t need to be encouraged. He stepped forward and unfastened the front closure that barely contained her generous breasts.
His cock grew rock hard when her breasts sprang free. She pulled off the rest of her clothes and stood naked in front of him. He could barely breathe. He cupped one breast in his hand. So firm, yet heavy. D cup probably? Who cares? They’re firm, soft and suckable.
He leaned over and took one nipple in his mouth. She reared back and hovered over the bed. Vic lowered her to it and continued suckling and caressing her beautiful mounds as he lay beside her.
Michele let out several low moans. Vic considered each arch, each moan, all the permission and encouragement he needed. At last, he grabbed her under the arms and moved her up on the bed until her head lay on the pillow. “Is your housekeeper here?” she whispered.
“It’s her day off, and it wouldn’t matter if she was. I’m going to make love to you.”
Clambering up next to her, his mouth firmly reattached to her nipple while his hand glided down to other sensitive places. When he found her clit she let out what sounded like, “Oh . . . oh . . .” but whatever she had tried to say ended in a gasp followed by a trembling moan. She arched and her moans grew louder and more frequent as he continued to pleasure her.
His fingers moved faster and were insistent until she cried out and her body shook in violent spasms.
Vic had to get himself ready. Should he free his throbbing erection before his zipper burst or let her do it, provided she still could? He didn’t have to wonder long. She curled toward him.
“Please . . . I’ve got to . . .”
She grabbed his crotch and sent electric tremors through him as she tore at the fabric, the zipper, and finally freed him. She was breathing hard. And though Vic knew what she wanted, he longed to hear her say it. “Got to what?”
“I’ve got to suck your cock, and then I want you inside of me.” He helped her remove his pants and briefs. She kissed the reddened tip reverently and lapped at the shaft. It was Vic’s turn to moan. She squeezed his erection and began licking everything with sensitive nerve endings. Every movement, every caress, made him hotter. Soon he was burning with white-hot need and felt as if he were about to burst.
He panted and gently removed her face from his crotch. “It’s impolite to keep a lady waiting. There will be time for more of this, later.”
“Lots of this. I promise. Vic, I want to feel you inside me.”
He sat up on his knees, his blood pounding. He reached for the drawer of the nightstand, grabbed a condom, held one end with his teeth and tore open the foil package.
The extra-large condom flew across the room.
“Forget it,” she panted. “The timing’s safe.”
Michele lay back and parted her legs for him. He rolled onto his knees, his engorged erection ready for her. Testing her wetness, he poised himself between her legs, geared up to enter. Before he did, he wanted to showcase his talent a little more, so he inserted two long fingers. He pushed them in deep. She writhed. He dipped his head took her sensitive nipple in his mouth and sucked. His thumb stroked her clit and he didn’t stop until she came in an earth shattering, fevered release.
He looked down at her. She was glowing pink, so ready, so primed, and without saying a word, he poised in front of her vaginal opening. She looked up at him, smiled and nodded. He penetrated deep. She closed her eyes and gasped. Then she clasped the wrought iron headboard and arched into him.
“Are you all right?”
“God, yes!” she cried.
He thrust in and out, riding her hard. She clutched his glutes and mated with him in a feverish rhythm as if to beating native drums. Her moans built to a crescendo until, at last, she screamed and shook like she was lying on the epicenter of an earthquake.
Vic followed her over the edge and welcomed the blissful sensation, the surge shooting through him, letting go, and finally, the aftershocks. Holding one another and panting heavily, neither one moved to pull away. Vic had no desire to jump up and get dressed as he often did after having sex with a willing, but less than wonderful, woman.
This woman was more than wonderful.
When their breathing finally returned to normal, she let out a long sigh. “Thank you,” she said.
He snuggled into the warm space between her neck and shoulder. “My pleasure. Anytime.”
She rolled up on one elbow and drew figure eights over his chest hair with her finger. “How about in five minutes? I want to light some candles first.”
* * * * *
They both groaned as they got out of bed Monday morning. It had been a passionate night, filled with repeated lovemaking until 3 a.m. However, duty called. Michele wouldn’t leave Savern alone at the store, and Vic wouldn’t leave Michele’s side. So, they dragged themselves up, gave each other that secret smile that said, “Thanks for last night” better than words could.
Vic’s shower was the size of her bedroom, and there was plenty of space in which to play. A bench spanned one end. She leaned over it, and waved her ass in the air. They didn’t have a lot of time, but she could come easily when given the benefit of a reach around.
She didn’t even have to ask.
Vic put some strawberry scented lube on his fingers. He smeared some around her opening, and thrust his cock inside. She had to steady herself against the bench when she felt the familiar sensation that signaled her approaching orgasm. Soon, she shattered with tremendous shockwaves. He drove in and out of her only a little while longer before he shook with his own orgasmic spasms. He threw his head back and howled, spattering droplets of water everywhere.
“Convenient, don’t you think? Getting dirty and clean right in the same place?”
She smiled, totally satisfied. “There’s nothing dirty about screwing if you’re both into it,” she said. “But doing it in here keeps the sheets clean.”
Vic grabbed her around the waist and whispered, “Yeah, later I’ll have to spank you for ruining my sheets.”
“Really?” she asked, nervously.
“No, I was kidding. After what you’ve been through, you should be kissed and cuddled.”
“Ooo . . . lots of that, please.”
“I think it can be arranged.”
Chapter 8
When they finally arrived at the store, Savern captured Michele’s hand and dragged her into the office.
“Excuse me a minute, Vic. It seems I’m needed . . .” Michele didn’t have time to finish her sentence. Savern had already pulled her inside and slammed the door. With hands on her hips and a stern expression on her face, Savern demanded, “What gives?”
Michele’s mouth opened but all she could do was stare at her.
Savern’s foot began tapping. “You knew, didn’t you?”
“Knew what?” Confused, Michele studied her friend’s face. What could have her this upset? “Is Bast okay?”
“She’s fine. C’mon Michele. Don’t pretend you weren’t part of the whole thing.”
“Part of what whole thing? Savern, what happened? I really don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“Oh.” Savern’s hands dropped to her side. “I guess you’re telling the truth. I just figured Alex had probably talked to you before he tried anything.”
“Talked to me about what?” An exasperated Michele reached over to her friend’s shoulders and gave her a little shake. “What did he do?”
“He put the moves on me.”
Michele gasped and tried to stay composed. Then she burst out laughing until she snorted. Savern clapped her hands over her ears. When Michele’s glee died down to a giggle, she said, “Alex has moves?”
A slow smile spread across Savern’s lips until her white teeth were showing. “Yeah. At least, I think that’s what he was aiming for.”
Michele put an arm around her dear friend’s shoulders and walked her over to the card table. “I told you to be careful what you wished for.”
Savern hung her head, but at least she was smiling.
Michele settled into a chair, pulled out the tarot cards and absently shuffled them. “So tell me, what did he do?”
Savern shrugged and sat opposite her. “Nothing, really gross. I thought I picked up some vibes when I arrived. He had Barry White playing on the stereo.”
Michele set the cards on the table and covered her mouth. She was trying hard not to laugh again but was rapidly losing the fight. She mumbled, “Oh my God . . .” through her hands. Savern tapped the table with her fingernails. “No more love spells. Are you enjoying this?”
Michele lowered her hands and smiled. “Yeah. Sorry. Did he do anything else?”
“Not much. He had lit candles on the table during dinner.”
“What did he make?”
“Coq au vin, but he used grape juice instead of wine, because of the baby.”
“Oh dear.” Michele couldn’t behave herself any longer and the giggles bubbled out. When she’d recovered, she thrust the cards toward Savern. “Here. Shuffle.”
As Savern shuffled the cards, Michele had more to say. “You knew casting those damn love spells might bring the unexpected. Alex showed up, flirted with you, and was right in front of your face the whole time. I mean, anybody could have seen it coming.”
“Anybody but me, I guess.”
If Savern had been a fair-skinned blond her face would have been lobster red.
“Well, don’t blame yourself for not seeing it before. Alex is so shy around women he’s almost hopeless. Or, is he?”
Savern shook her head and picked up the cards. “No. He’s really sweet.”
“So, do you want a reading?” Michele tossed a mischievous look at her friend. “How about a quickie?” She winked.
Savern leaned back, looking irritated. “Oh, go ahead. Make jokes. You’re obviously happy in your temporary lodgings. Did you know you’re glowing?”
She looked at the table but couldn’t hide her smile. She thought of Vic’s arms around her. How he trailed tender kisses all over her. How he massaged her clit when she was on top. Joy welled up as she pictured his eyes fixed on hers, and his hands caressing her body as he made love to her. Then gripping her tight, squeezing his eyes shut, and allowing a masculine grunt to escape at the moment of climax. What a night.
“I don’t know if a reading would help,” Savern was saying.
Michele cocked her head. “Why the hesitation? Afraid of what you might hear?”
“I think he’s attractive, even handsome, for a white bread kind of guy. I like Alex. I really do, but I just never thought of him that way.”
“Because . . .”
“Because I just didn’t.” Savern’s elbow rested on the table and she dropped her forehead into her hand as if she was propping it up. “He’s your stepdad. You’re like a sister . . . not a step-daughter. Eek.”
“Don’t go there. He’s a man. You’re a woman. You find each other attractive. Give yourself permission to explore the possibilities, at least in your head. That doesn’t mean that anything has to happen.”
Savern sighed. “I know. Okay, go ahead and read my cards. Let’s quickly see what they have to say. I’m concentrating on my question.” Savern selected three random cards from the deck. Michele placed them in front of her next to each other and turned over the first one.
“Okay, your recent past—The Magician. I see that as referring to your in-depth study and practice of Wicca. Founding the shop . . .”
“Co-founding,” Savern reminded her. “Coincidentally, with Alex, since you almost blew the whole thing by being poor and trying to refuse his help.”
“Hey, I have my pride.”
“And if both of us hadn’t arm-twisted you, we wouldn’t be here now. By the way, you’ve never said ‘thank you’ to him, have you?”
Michele sighed. “No, Mom, but I will.”
Savern scowled, turned her body to face the other way, and crossed her arms.
“Sorry,” Michele said. “I won’t tease you about that anymore. I can see you’re sensitive.”
“Damn right,” Savern muttered.
She turned over the next card and said, “Present—the judgment card. A decision weighing both sides of an argument. A fair and levelheaded choice needs to be made without prejudice.”
Savern whipped back around to glare at Michele and said, “You know I’m not prejudiced.”
“Not that kind. The kind where you make up your mind too soon based on your immediate reactions.”
“I don’t do that.”
Michele raised one eyebrow and leveled her gaze at her best friend.
“Do I?” Savern sighed. “Okay, so I just did, but I don’t do that all the time.”
Michele still said nothing but held her stare.
“Okay, okay. If you’re not going to talk to me, I can’t fight with you. Say something stupid so I can argue, will you please?”
Michele turned her attention back to the cards and flipped over the last one.
“Future,” she announced. “The Ace of Pentacles. Prosperity, success. Sounds like you have a bright, shiny future.” She leaned back in her chair with a reassuring smile. “That probably means the store will do well. If we can just weather this first year and get some positive publicity . . .”
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about the upcoming psychic fair,” Savern said. “We should ask Vic if it’s a good idea, Michele.”
“No way. You know he’ll say not to do it, and we need this—badly.”
“I need you alive more.
”
* * * * *
Vic poked around the shop, eyeing the various shelves with their odd paraphernalia. He pulled a book of spells off the shelf. Flipping through it, he noticed a whole section of spells dedicated to prosperity, several pages of love spells, a chapter for healing . . .
He soon grew bored. What could be so critical in a retail business? Did they run out of black candles? Vic smiled as he thought about how many supplies Michele had brought with her to his house, and he hadn’t given her time to use any of them.
Something outside caught his eye and he looked up from the book. Whatever had been there was gone. Nevertheless, the prickles crawling up his neck told him not to dismiss it without investigating.
Hugging the wall, he edged his way to the door. He glanced at his watch. Not yet 10 a.m. Vic craned his neck trying to see through the display window to the sidewalk. He barely made out cigarette smoke curling from the side of the building.
Did Donovan smoke?
Realizing he hadn’t even asked, he cursed himself. He was letting his libido get in the way of his skills. Pay attention to the case, Vic. Still, last night had been more satisfying than any he could remember. Vic stared at the smoke as it disappeared for a moment, returned in a rushing cone, and dissipated.
Taking care of Michele was his number one priority, and not just because he had discovered a nature nymph who gave herself to him freely and frequently. Finally slaking his overwhelming lust, he had fallen asleep with his lover in his arms, and had awakened spooned with her. He’d felt refreshed and contented all morning. Yet, she was his job—his unknowing client. Could amazing sex be called a fringe benefit?
Vic had to talk to Alex. He couldn’t very well ask the man to pay him for sleeping with his stepdaughter. Dammit. He was doing it again, letting his mind wander to Michele instead of dealing with the smoker, whoever it might be, just outside the shop.
Vic turned the deadbolt on the door and stepped outside. He had to shield his eyes from the bright sun. A slight figure snapped to attention. He let out the breath he had been holding when he realized it was Kip.
