Highest Bidder (A Bad Boy Romance)

by Mia Carson

  “No, I can’t do this to you. I’m not stable,” she argued and slipped from his arms to pace past him. “You don’t understand how bad things are, and if you did, you would be running. I’ll get my things and go.”

  She turned for the kitchen, but Alec’s hand caught hers, stilling her. “You think I’m not going to love you as much because you’re a little unhinged?” he asked quietly.

  Iris nodded, but his words echoed through her mind again as her heart pounded wildly behind her ribs. “Did you say… love?”

  His jaw tightened, and his eyes glimmered with a bounty of raw emotions. “I’ve been falling for you since I walked you home from Danny’s. And for God’s sake, Iris, you’ve been through hell. If you weren’t a little crazy I’d be worried you were a damn sociopath.”

  She laughed at his words, but she didn’t return to the fold of his arms. “I can’t promise you anything.”

  “Then how about I promise you something?” he suggested as he prowled closer.

  “Oh yeah? And what are you going to tell me? That you’ll be my knight in shining armor? That you’ll magically make all my problems go away?” She didn’t mean for the words to sound so bitter but they did, and she wanted to kick herself for being an ass.

  Alec’s wolfish grin appeared behind his scruff, and he said, “I was never much of a white knight type of guy, but I’ll sure as hell be the man who stops you from falling off that cliff you’re always standing on.” He pushed her hair from her face. Just that simple touch made her body scream out for him, and she bit her lip and sighed. “Let me carry your worries for a little while.”

  She thought about the week since Alec had appeared in her life and couldn’t deny the days had been brighter. She’d laughed more, smiled more, even had hope that her future wouldn’t look so dreary, but a dark cloud hovered in the back of her mind. “What about Jenson?”

  His cupped her cheeks in his hand as a look of fierce protectiveness overcame him. “If he touches you again, I’ll break his fingers.”

  He would, too. Iris saw the promise in his eyes. Her mind warred with what to do, but she was on her toes and kissing him hotly, telling him what she could not with words. She couldn’t deny anymore that she was falling for him. Alec’s lips moved against hers, and as every inch of her body burned, she prayed the ember stoked deep inside her would never go out again.

  Chapter 10

  The kitchen spun around them, and Iris clung desperately to Alec’s shoulders as his lips trailed from her mouth to her neck. His tongue glided against her skin, and her body convulsed in his arms, crying out for more.

  “We should have done this the first night we met,” he said in a husky voice.

  “I was drunk,” she reminded him with a quiet laugh that turned into a moan when he sucked her earlobe.

  “The second night, then,” he replied, his voice strained. “I’ve wanted you tangled up in my sheets every night since, wrapped in my arms with me buried deep inside you.”

  Iris gasped at the image splayed across her mind as her hips ground against his, seeking him. His lips found hers again, and their touches became more frantic with each passing second. Every touch of his hand was possessive, hungry, but it soothed Iris’s nerves. She pressed her body against his, tugging at his t-shirt to see his bare skin again, to feel that chest of hard muscle. She yanked it over his head and tossed it behind him as her hands slid down his pecs, dusted with a light coating of fine hair that trailed lower to his jeans. She swallowed hard at the bulge behind the zipper begging to be released, and without thinking of what it might do to him, she pressed her palm against the center of his heat.

  Alec’s face darkened with sudden lust as his hips bucked until he rested in her hand. The promise in his eyes was mischievous, and his hands fisted in the back of her shirt as his mouth claimed hers. His tongue delved into her mouth, thrusting in time with the movement of his hips against her hand. Iris wanted all of him, she needed him, and there were too many barriers between. Her hands reached for the button on his jeans, and she was unzipping the zipper when his hands caught hers and wrapped them around his neck. He picked her up, and she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, his mouth only leaving hers for a second.

  He carried her upstairs and down a short hall to a bedroom she could only assume was his. Once inside, he kicked the door closed and backed her against it. She fumbled with the buttons on her shirt, but Alec was too impatient. He set her quickly on her feet and with both hands ripped her shirt open, exposing her heavy breasts and nipples poking through the thin, lace fabric of her bra. His eyes fixated on the hardened points, and Iris felt them peak, begging to be exposed and laid bare to his gaze.

  Alec’s fingers shoved her shirt gently over her shoulders, caressing the smooth skin as he tugged the fabric from her body and threw it aside, his appraising gaze sliding over the mounds of her chest and lower to her bared, flat stomach. Alec didn’t say a word, but he didn’t have to. Every intense sensation flitted across his face in a flurry Iris could barely keep up with. With his free hand, he pushed one bra strap down and trailed his finger across the upper mounds of exposed flesh until she shivered. His fingers lingered on the other strap before letting it slip down, too. His gaze shot back up to hers as he shoved the lacy cup aside and held her in his palm, kneading and teasing her nipple with his fingers. Iris reached for him, but he captured her wrists in one hand and raised them over her head, pinning her hips with his. She fidgeted against him, wanting to touch him, hold him, but he gave her a wry smile right before he kissed her, slowly and deeply.

  The bulge in his jeans swelled, and she moved her hips, rubbing against it, eliciting a groan from his chest. “You’re teasing him,” he muttered against her lips.

  “And what do you think you’re doing to me?” she countered hotly.

  “Driving you crazy with lust first,” he replied, and in one swift movement, unhooked her bra. He dropped her arms to let the garment fall to the floor. The second the lace was gone, both hands replaced it. Iris’s back arched, pressing her breasts hard against his hands. “When was the last time?” he growled as his tongue licked a path from her neck to the sensitive flesh of her breasts he cradled so hotly.

  Iris’s brows knitted when his tongue slipped lower and claimed one of her nipples. He circled it, rolling it with his tongue before sucking hard. She gasped, her hands running through his hair and whispered, “Never.”

  His mouth stopped, and she whimpered at the loss of heat. “Never?”

  She nodded. “Jenson tried, but he couldn’t complete the job,” she said and smirked. “You’re my first, technically. Never gave me an orgasm, ever, so I guess that makes me part virgin. Still want me?”

  If Iris thought he hungered for her before, she was dead wrong. Every muscle in his body tensed, and his fingers caressed the side of her face then lower so his thumb brushed her lips. “I will always want you,” he groaned before capturing her mouth with his.

  Her breasts pressed against the hard planes of his chest, and her hands massaged his back, her nails digging in to find purchase as his hand slid down her stomach and undid her jeans. She heard the zipper, and her breath caught as her chest heaved. Delicately, his fingers parted her curls, seeking out her warmth, and the second they found her, he cursed. Her panties were soaked through from his first kiss downstairs, and every touch after only made her body crave him more.

  Alec palmed her warmth as he lowered his mouth to her nipple, sucking hard as he massaged his palm against her clit. Iris’s body tensed with every tug of his mouth. A sharp thrill of heat shot down her body, and she moaned as the pressure built within her. His touch intensified, and his mouth kissed a trail across her breasts to the other nipple. Her knees wobbling, Iris dug her hands into his back and cried out his name, her back arching as she quivered against the door. His hand didn’t let up until he’d wrung another moan from her lips, one he quickly swallowed as his lips found hers again, kissing sweetly.

  Her
legs weak and vision blurry from the insane explosion of pleasure rocketing through her body, she expected him to drop his pants and hers and have at it. Instead, his hands moved to her jeans and tugged them down, along with her lacy panties. They were completely soaked through, and he grumbled with pleasure at the sight. Iris wasn’t sure what he was doing, but he lowered himself and kissed her stomach delicately.

  “Alec,” she whispered as he fell to his knees. “What… what are you…? Oh, God.” She gasped and her hands pushed through his hair.

  His tongue licked her soft folds, wet and crying for him. Each hand massaged up her thighs until they couldn’t spread wider because of her jeans. He grunted in annoyance and quickly relieved her of the rest of her clothes. His hands spread her legs, gliding easily up her inner thighs as he nibbled at her hips before moving closer to her center again. Already over-sensitized from the first orgasm, each flick of his tongue against her body sent a new wave of heat coursing through her veins. Her head fell back against the door when he sucked hard on her clit, ravishing it as his fingers spread her folds and he slipped one slowly within her hot sheath.

  Iris clung to his shoulders as he thrust inside her, spreading her in ways she’d never been spread before, teasing her as he removed his finger and rubbed it against her wetness as his mouth continued to suck and roll the bundle of nerves. Her eyes clamped shut, she let the sensations rule her and let go of her worries and anxieties, her doubts about what might happen tomorrow. This was what she wanted to experience, with Alec, tearing her apart and putting her back together in a way she knew would change her forever.

  A cry fell from her mouth, and she hung her head as her hips bucked against his mouth. His tongue parted her lips this time and moved within her, thrusting and sucking as he gripped her body hard and held her firmly against his mouth. Her body writhing, Iris screamed as pleasure ripped through her, the orgasm stronger than the last one and driving her over the edge. She fell limp, but Alec caught her easily in his arms as she sucked in gasping breaths. He scooped her up, and she stared at him through narrowed eyes.

  “Anyone ever tell you you’re incredible?” she muttered.

  He chuckled, and it vibrated through his chest to her body, tingling with the latest kiss against a place no man’s mouth had ever been. “Actually, no.” He laid her back on the bed, and she watched him as he reached for his jeans. A flash of concern shot through his eyes, but Iris smiled gently, propped up on her elbows, and licked her lips.

  Raising one brow, she let her gaze trail down his body to his throbbing erection still barricaded behind his jeans. “I can handle you, cowboy.”

  He still looked worried, but Iris slowly spread her legs for him and reached down, running her fingers lightly up her inner thigh and higher still. His eyes darkened, and he kicked off his jeans, climbed on the bed, and replaced her hand with his in seconds. As he climbed further up the bed, his body covered hers, and Iris cupped his face, bringing his mouth to hers. She licked his lips playfully, and he spread her legs wider with his knee. She didn’t know what to expect with a man like Alec, but as he kissed her, their tongues warring for control, his crown pressed against her and she gripped his hips, wanting him inside her.

  He nibbled her lip, and with a groan, he parted her swollen lips slowly with his engorged length. The heat from it warmed her center, and she dragged him in deeper. She stretched and her inner muscles quivered, but there was no pain. Alec pulled out, but she saw the strain on his face, saw his arms shake near her head. When he thrust, she met him and he slid all the way in to the hilt. She gasped at being so full, and he groaned.

  “Iris?”

  No words would come, but she moved her hips and he thrust again, swelling even more with each dragging motion in and out of her. Alec pressed himself lower, rubbing her clit with each inward thrust, and Iris wrapped her legs around his body, giving him a deeper angle as she kissed him. Their ragged breathing mingled and the rhythm they built together disappeared, replaced by a desperate desire to possess and claim the other. Iris felt the tightening of her body, the building of the orgasm, but she wanted to ride him, wanted to drive him to a yell of pleasure. The next time he thrust in, she caught him off-guard and rolled them over so she straddled his body. The shock in his eyes was priceless as she rubbed her hands down his chest.

  “Smooth,” he grunted until she clenched him tightly.

  “I like to be in control sometimes,” she replied.

  His hands slithered up her body, massaging her breasts as she rode him hard. Alec groaned, his head falling back against the pillow, and Iris grinned, but she wasn’t the only one with surprising moves. As the tension built and she knew she couldn’t hold on much longer, Alec suddenly sat up and smashed their bodies together. He bucked his hips, and she cried out at the change in angle. He rubbed against that sweet spot, and she lost all control. His name fell from her lips in a moan as he joined her, a loud groan issuing from his lips before he clamped them down on hers. Their arms twined around each other, clinging desperately to something solid as the orgasm rocked them both, passing through their bodies like an electric shock.

  Iris wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that, holding each other as if the rest of the world didn’t matter, before they fell backwards onto the bed. She slipped to his side, panting for air, and grinned up at the ceiling.

  “Holy shit,” she mumbled, and he grunted in agreement.

  “I don’t think I can move for a while,” he said, and she rolled her head until she found his eyes.

  “Too bad,” she whispered and ran her fingernail down his thigh, loving the way his muscles instantly tensed.

  He growled, covered her body with his, and kissed her until she was dizzy in his arms.

  Chapter 11

  Alec’s body tensed, and he clenched his jaw, not remembering when he’d last felt so rested. He must’ve fallen asleep at some point. His bedroom was darker. His arm reached out for Iris, remembering the last few hours, but she wasn’t there. He frowned as he tried to clear the sleep from his mind when he felt two warm hands slide up his thighs and a hot set of lips kiss down his rigid shaft.

  “Iris,” he grunted when she proceeded to lick up the length of him as her hands gripped his hips. He lifted his head enough to see her between his legs, a wicked glint in her eyes. “That’s not… Jesus Christ, woman, what are you doing to me?”

  In reply, she closed her lips around his crown and sucked him hard into her mouth. Alec’s hands gripped the sheet as he dragged in a breath and his hips bucked. She took more of him in, sliding her hands down his shaft along with her mouth. He needed to touch her, but she was out of reach. Every time she took more of him into her mouth, he lost another shred of control. He didn’t want to lose it, not yet, not unless he was buried deep inside her. Iris sucked harder, but Alec managed to maneuver himself out of her grip and pulled her onto his lap.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered silkily. “Too much?”

  He grunted and kissed her, loving her taste, but it was his turn to play. He turned her around so her back pressed into his chest, kissing her neck as one arm held her under her heavy breasts and his other slipped lower. His fingers parted her lips easily to find her soaking wet. That alone made his erection twitch against her back, wanting to thrust home, but not yet. Not until he heard her scream his name again. His fingers spread her lips wide, teasing the flesh there, gliding along it but not entering her. He tugged on her clit, rolling it between his fingers, and she arched her back into him, tilting her head as he sucked on her earlobe.

  As he ran his fingers along her, she trembled, moving her hips so she pressed against his hand. Alec’s erection swelled, and he could barely contain his desire for this woman cradled against his hips. He slipped two fingers into her warmth, and she quivered, her hips lowering onto him as he thrust them in and out, searching for that one spot. He twisted his fingers around, curving them, and knew the second he found it. Iris cried out, her back arching as she came aroun
d his fingers. His arm shifted up to hold her breasts, but she took his hand and sucked hard on his finger as the orgasm shook her body. Too much, it was too damn much.

  Alec groaned and withdrew his fingers. He bent her over gently, spreading her knees with his, and placed his hands on her perfectly shaped ass. She’d barely recovered from the first orgasm when he thrust inside her. She cried out, and he shuddered, his body curling over hers from the pleasure shooting through him. He thrust again, and a moan tore free from her as she reached back to grip his thigh hard. Alec couldn’t hold back, and shifting one hand around to massage her clit, he drove into her. He swelled within her, and when her inner muscles clenched hard around him and her scream tore through the room, Alec let loose and followed her scream with a groan, holding himself deep within her as he spilled every last drop.

  Slowly, he pulled out, and she shivered. Alec fell back, and she rolled over to stare at him from the end of the bed, a satisfied grin stretching across her face. “We should spend every afternoon like this,” she said, running her fingers down her body.

  Alec grunted a yes and rolled over to see the clock. “Can I interest you in staying for dinner? I don’t think we’re in any shape to go out,” he added, glancing around his bedroom at their scattered clothes.

  “Dinner,” Iris said and bolted upright. “Damn, I should get home for Sam.”

  Alec frowned. “You sure you want to leave?”

  “Want to? God, no,” she said, “but he can’t cook to save his life, and I have to make sure he eats.”