“I’m not going far,” she reassured him. She leaned down and plucked at the laces of his boots. “Help me take these off.”
John stacked one heel against the toe of his other boot and pushed. Topaz pulled and the boot came off. Then he did the other one. She pulled off his socks and then went for his jeans. “These next.”
His face looked hard and his body seemed even bigger as he raised his butt off the couch and shoved his jeans and briefs down his thighs. She tugged then down his legs until he was naked. She stood between his slightly spread rock-hard thighs and stared down at him.
His jaw was clenched and his hands were fisted by his sides. She could tell he was exerting an enormous amount of control over himself. But that was John. He had more self-control than any man she’d ever met. It could be maddening at times, but she also admired that about him.
As she studied him, his cock flexed, as if to remind her it was still there waiting for her. Thick slabs of muscle delineated his abs and his shoulders were impossibly wide. Even when he wasn’t moving there was a sense of coiled power about him, as though he could erupt into action at any given second.
Topaz licked her lips and slowly knelt in front of him.
John’s breathing deepened and the tension surrounding him kicked up another notch.
“Move forward.”
John moved so fast she almost fell back, but he caught her shoulders and kept her close. She grinned at his enthusiasm.
The bowl of strawberries and cream sat next to her on the table. She reached out and chose one that was covered in cream.
“Topaz.” His voice was strained and she couldn’t tell if he was warning her off or telling her to hurry.
She brought the cream-covered treat back to his cock and dragged it over the mushroom-shaped tip. He groaned and dug his fingers into the edge of the sofa. “Fuck, that feels good.”
“Then you’ll like this even better,” she promised. Topaz circled the berry ‘round and ‘round the top of his shaft, leaving a trail of cream behind her. Watching him get more and more aroused was having a definite effect on her and before long her nipples ached and her core throbbed.
She’d never used food to seduce a man in her life, but she wanted to do this for John, to give him the same erotic experience he’d given her. He was different from any other man she’d ever met and he’d tapped into something deep and primal within her. She felt alive and desirable and powerful and brazen all at once.
She brought the strawberry back to the head of his cock and stroked it slowly over the slit, capturing some of the liquid seeping from the tip. “I wonder what that tastes like?” She raised the berry as if she was going to let him eat it, but at the last second popped it in her own mouth.
Sweet juice squirted in her mouth, mingled with the more musky, salty taste of John. “Mmm. Now that tastes delicious.”
“Tease,” he muttered. He caught her head between his large palms and brought her mouth close to his straining cock. Cream still coated the top and ran down the sides of his shaft.
“Can’t waste good cream.” She started low and swept her tongue up one side of his cock. His fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her closer. She laughed, knowing what he wanted and knowing she would give it to him.
“You’re killing me, babe.” He angled the head of his cock closer to her mouth in a silent demand.
She trailed her tongue over the tip, lapping off the thick cream. “Tasty.” John was practically vibrating now and she took pity on him, giving him what he wanted. Topaz opened her mouth and took his cock deep.
John groaned and swore and called her name, his thighs closing around her to keep her between his legs. Even when she was in control, John seemed to dominate. His sheer size and presence demanded it. She was even beginning to get used to it, to anticipate and enjoy it.
She dragged her tongue over his rigid shaft, feeling the heavy pulse beating within it. Her pussy contracted in response to his pleasure, feeding her own growing desire.
She sucked and licked and took him deep in her throat. She wanted him to come, to feel the same kind of satisfying completion that he’d given her. John was close and she knew it wouldn’t take much to push him over the edge. The rim around the top of his cock was sensitive and she drew her tongue over it before she took as much of him as she could into her mouth. She hollowed her cheeks, sucking hard.
John knew he couldn’t hang on any longer. The sight of her kneeling between his legs with his cock in her mouth was more than he could take. He couldn’t believe she’d coated his dick with cream and licked it off. He’d never see strawberries and cream again without remembering this night.
He eased her head back and she reluctantly released him with a wet pop of her mouth. She frowned at him and he almost smiled. She was more than ready to have him come in her mouth. As much as he wanted that, he wanted to be inside her hot, wet pussy even more.
“Next time,” he promised as he stood and pulled her to her feet. He snagged his jeans and yanked out a condom he’d put there earlier in anticipation. It paid to be prepared. “This time I need to be inside you.”
She started to sit on the sofa, but he guided her around to the side of it. “No. Here. Lean down and rest your weight on the arm.” Topaz looked at him, her lips wet and moist, her eyes slightly glazed.
He almost came as he rolled on the damn condom. When it was in place, he moved in behind her. “Bend down, babe.” He placed his hand on her back and urged her forward.
He almost howled with pleasure when she put her hands on the arm of the sofa and pushed her sweet ass toward him. He used his legs to spread hers wider. “I’m going to fuck you until you scream with pleasure.”
He lined up his cock with her wet opening and plunged inside. Her cry was almost lost in the echo of his yell as the slick walls of her cunt closed around him. He drew back and pushed inward again. “More. Take all of me,” he hotly demanded. He plunged deeper this time and gritted his teeth to keep from coming.
God, she was tight. Her inner muscles gripped him like a vise. “Hold on tight,” he told her.
Her fingers tightened around the arm of the sofa and she tensed in anticipation of what he was about to do. He held her hips in his hands and began to fuck her. Hard. Her height made them fit perfectly together and he hammered his hips against her ass, loving the slap of his balls against her pussy.
“You’re so fucking tight and hot around my cock.” He pumped his hips against her, loving the way she stretched around him, taking all of him with each heavy thrust.
She was so fragile next to him, the line of her spine delicate. Her nape was exposed as she leaned forward and he wanted to kiss the sensitive spot and then nip at it with his teeth until he gave her a hickey that wouldn’t be noticeable when her hair covered it. Only she would know it was there, a tangible reminder of his possession of her.
He refrained from doing it. Just barely. Raw, primitive emotions coursed through him, egging him on, but he didn’t want to frighten her.
He slid one hand around to her front and found her clit with his finger. He rubbed the tiny bundle of nerves, urging her to come with him.
Topaz didn’t know how much more she could take. She felt completely overwhelmed by John and his claiming. His cock seemed to get bigger with each stroke. This position had his shaft hitting all her sweet spots with each stroke. Her grip on the arm of the sofa wasn’t enough to ground her and she felt adrift, lost in the tempest swirling around her.
A storm was brewing within her and it was only a matter of time before it broke. She was afraid that when it did, she would splinter into a thousand pieces and be unable to put herself back together again. John would have parts of her she would never be able to reclaim. It frightened and she began to panic.
Then John slid his finger across her clit, sending lightning bolts of pleasure zinging through her. Her body didn’t care what this might cost her. It reached for the promised orgasm, grasping it eagerly.
; Her body exploded and her channel tightened around his cock. Spasms of pleasure rocked her to her core. John yelled and pumped several more times, his shaft swelling and flexing. He half collapsed on top of her, his arms banding around her waist to keep her from falling forward onto the arm of the sofa.
They both stood there panting hard, like two combatants in a war they’d both won. Topaz shivered as she became aware of the cool air and the slight twinges in her body. She felt as though she’d survived a hurricane and would never be the same again.
John slowly withdrew from her body and straightened behind her. She was afraid to look at him, afraid she’d lost part of herself to him. She’d never given up such control before, especially not to a man.
He didn’t say anything as he lifted her into his arms and she buried her face against his broad chest. He carried her to the bedroom, setting her down long enough to tug back the covers. He urged her to crawl onto the bed and when she was settled, he covered her quickly and went to the bathroom. The pipes rattled and groaned as he ran water. She could easily picture him standing in the ancient bathroom, cleaning himself off, running a cloth over his semi-aroused cock.
Topaz stared up at the ceiling, totally replete, yet unsatisfied. The sex was exceptional, the best she’d ever had, but something was missing. She was too tired to even consider what that might be. Her eyes drifted closed but shot open again when the covers were pulled off her and cool air rushed over her skin.
John stood beside her with a warm cloth in hand and proceeded to clean her breasts and between her legs. It was embarrassing and she batted at his hands, but he was relentless. Finally, she gave in and let him do as he pleased. After what they’d just done in the living room there was really no need for her to be self-conscious about him washing her in such an intimate manner.
When he was done, he pulled the cover up to her chin and kissed her forehead. “Sleep. I’ll be along in a few minutes.”
She let her eyes close and wished she was wearing her nightgown, needed it like protective armor to help keep her heart safe. It might already be too late for that. John Knight had come into her well-ordered life and blown it apart, by doing no more than simply being what he was.
She shivered and thought about getting her nightgown, but it was in the living room and she wasn’t prepared to leave the bed for it. The sounds of dishes clinking reached her and she knew John was dealing with the remains of their meal. She’d forgotten all about that. It was a very domestic sound and it soothed her.
Her thoughts drifted along, refusing to touch on anything for long and, before she knew it, John was back. She knew the second he stepped into the room. The texture of the air seemed to change when he was there—thickening and filling with anticipation. The sound of fabric against fabric filled the silence and she knew he’d brought their clothing into the room.
She tensed when he crawled into bed beside her but relaxed again when he put his arm around her and pulled her back against his chest, spooning behind her so her back rested against his chest and her butt was cradled against his groin.
It was then she realized she’d been unconsciously waiting for him. Now that he was here, everything was right. She felt his lips brush against the top of her head as she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Six
Topaz woke to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and frying bacon. She gave an experimental stretch, feeling the slight muscle twinges in her legs and other more intimate areas. She’d slept long and hard, except for the hour around dawn when John had woken her to make love once again. This time had been long and slow, but no less explosive than what had occurred the night before.
She was still naked and with John gone the bed was much cooler. Sitting up, she pushed her hair out of her eyes and yawned. She really needed some coffee. The covers started to slip down to her waist so she grabbed them and pulled them back up to cover herself. Shower first and then she’d get her coffee.
Before she could move, the door opened and John walked in. It wasn’t fair. No man should look that good first thing in the morning. He was wearing a pair of worn jeans that fit him to perfection and had topped it with a long-sleeved Henley shirt in a heather-gray color that went well with his pale-blue eyes.
Unlike her hair, his was so short it was impossible for it to be disheveled. Even though he’d been out of the Army for two years he was still cutting it with military precision.
He smiled and held out his hand, offering her a steaming mug of coffee. She grabbed it like a lifeline and sipped. “Thank you.” The heartfelt desperation in her words made him laugh.
“Glad I could help.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “How are you feeling this morning?”
She took another sip of the rich, dark coffee, fixed just the way she liked it with sugar and no milk, and pondered how to answer his question. She wasn’t about to tell him about her physical discomforts. Overall, she felt good. “I slept well.” That was certainly the truth. She hadn’t slept so deeply in months.
“Good.” He tucked a finger under her chin and tilted it back so he could drop a quick kiss on her mouth. “Breakfast is almost ready.”
“Is there time for me to shower?” In spite of his efforts last night, Topaz felt sticky and sweaty and desperately wanted to clean herself up.
“Make it a quick one.” He turned and left the room. When the door closed she realized she was staring at his butt.
“Get a grip,” she mumbled. Tossing back the covers, she shivered and grabbed her robe off the chair. It covered her, even if it wasn’t very warm, and that was all that mattered.
It didn’t take her long to dig through her suitcase and pull out clean clothes, her brush and toiletries kit. She dragged all of it, as well as her coffee, into the bathroom and shut the door.
There was a showerhead installed above the cast-iron tub and a curtain that enclosed it. She turned on the water and while it was heating, drained her mug. The caffeine kick-started her brain and got it firing on all cylinders. When the water was warn enough she discarded her robe and stepped beneath the spray, letting it cascade over her head and body.
What had she done?
She’d made love to a man who was dangerous to her sense of well-being, a man who could destroy the emotional equilibrium she’d managed to build over the years. She tilted her head back and wiped the water from her eyes.
Was last night worth the emotional upheaval it would cause?
Yes. Topaz grabbed the bar of soap from the edge of the tub and began to wash. She couldn’t regret her time with John no matter what happened when they returned to New York. He was what he was and she was what she was. This was a time out of time. And it belonged to them.
She reached out of the shower long enough to grab her shampoo out of her toiletries bag and then washed her hair and rinsed her body. When she turned off the water and stepped out onto the bathmat, she felt like herself again—calm and in control.
She noted several small bruises on her legs and arms while she moisturized, but that was to be expected given their vigorous lovemaking. She donned a pair of jeans and a turtleneck sweater in a russet color that set off her black hair. She didn’t have a hairdryer but it didn’t matter with her short hairstyle. She brushed it and fluffed it with her fingers. Then she added mascara and some lipstick. Nothing heavy.
Topaz stared at her reflection. She looked like herself, but yet something wasn’t quite right. There was a knowledge, a haunted quality in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. She thought the first time they’d made love last year was a fluke, that the explosion of passion between them was an anomaly. But it had happened again last night. If anything, the heat between them had skyrocketed, leaving her wondering how long it could continue without burning out.
A knock sounded on the door. “You almost ready?” He didn’t sound impatient, but concerned.
“Be right there.” She waited until she heard his footsteps fade, gathered her belongings and left the bathroom. She d
umped everything in the bedroom for now, grabbed her coffee mug and hurried to the kitchen.
John had two plates on the table filled with bacon, eggs and toast. There was a glass of orange juice in front of each plate. “Want more coffee?” He held up the coffeepot.
“Please.” She offered him her mug and thanked him when he filled it. They sat at the table and ate in silence for a few minutes until she couldn’t stand it any longer. “What are our plans for the day?”
John shrugged. “Thought we might take a walk, maybe have a nap after lunch. There are a few books tucked away on the shelf and a few more in the bedroom closet if you want to read.” He reached out and cupped her cheek in his large, warm palm. “You need to have a day where you don’t do anything but relax.”
Well, that wasn’t exactly what she’d expected him to say. Of course, what could he say? I want to get you naked and make love to you all day. She squirmed uncomfortably on her seat before she could stop herself. She was aghast that she was slightly aroused just sitting at the breakfast table with John. Something about last night had splintered all the barriers she’d erected to keep that from happening.
“What’s wrong?” He skimmed a finger down her jawline, worry in his pale eyes.
“Nothing.” She leaned back and his hand fell away from her face. To cover her awkwardness, she grabbed her mug and drank deeply.
She sensed John’s frustration, but he let things be, at least for now. He cleared his plate and sat back, resting his hands on his flat belly. “Last night was special,” he began.
Topaz jumped up from the table and started clearing the dishes. “You cooked, so I’ll clean up.”
John shook his head and slowly pushed back from the table. “I know you’re not ready to talk about us. But you’ll have to before we leave tomorrow morning.”
Tomorrow morning was a lifetime away. Right now, all she wanted to do was enjoy the moment. She’d spent her entire life setting goals and attaining them. She was tired of thinking and planning. Tired of making decisions and wondering about the consequences of her actions, both in life and in business. For the next twenty-four hours, she wanted to do whatever she wanted and damn the cost.
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