by Mandy Harbin
“Did you . . . Did you just lick my hair?”
He slowly shook his head, keeping his eyes on her as he moved his hand away from his face. “It was standing up, so I smoothed it down. My hands are just sweating.”
The thought of him fixing her hair gave her a tingling feeling in the pit of her stomach. Why, she didn’t know. It was such a small thing, but he did it for her. And the confession about his hands sweating only comforted her because it meant he was nervous, too, and he didn’t mind telling her he was. He made her feel comfortable.
He made her horny.
Knowing she’d regret it if she didn’t do something, she stepped forward and brought her hands up to his cheeks, stroking his face gently. “My hands are sweating too, see?”
He grabbed her wrists, and she thought he was going to push her away. But he just stood there, his eyes searching hers almost frantically. Then with a groan he released her wrists, buried his hands in her hair, and crushed his lips to hers, kissing her with a sense of desperation she didn’t quite understand but didn’t bother trying to figure out. All that mattered was he was kissing her and he tasted even better than he smelled. His tongue licked her seam, and she was all too eager to open up for him. The feel of his tongue rubbing against hers was her downfall. Her knees buckled, but one of his arms shot around her back and grasped her waist, which kept her upright, as his other hand stayed in her hair to hold her head for his assault on her mouth.
She moaned, unable to process all the emotions roaring through her, and that needy sound seemed to fuel him on. He backed her against the wall by her bedroom door, and he fumbled with the knob. Once he got it open, he lifted her like she didn’t weigh anything and carried her into the room while never stopping his kiss. He kicked the door shut as her feet found the floor again, only to find herself being backed up against the side wall.
He softened his kiss, his mouth sipping at hers as his hands landed on her hips, caressing her, gentling her, and she felt her pussy flood with her juices. God, she was ready for this. All these years not thinking about when she’d ever have sex, and now she couldn’t wait. Because it finally felt right. She wound her arms around his neck and fisted her hands in his hair. Kissing him back with as much passion as he was kissing her. Then his lips left hers, and he kissed, licked, and nipped his way down her throat. Her hips thrust forward of their own volition, and she came in contact with his hard cock. Gasping, she couldn’t help but want more, so she reached down and grabbed him through his slacks.
He groaned, thrusting into her touch. “Fuck, Krista, you don’t know what you’re doing to me.” He grabbed the sleeve of her dress and tugged, pulling it along with her bra strap, exposing her breast. “Sweet Jesus.” He swooped down, sucking her nipple into his mouth.
She moaned, her head falling back as he feasted on her breast while tugging her dress on the other side, releasing her other breast. As he kissed, nipped, and licked one nipple, he pinched, tugged, and rolled the other one with his fingers.
Krista had never felt something this intense, feeling Toby’s mouth and hands on her, listening to his grunts and groans as he gorged on her body.
She released his cock and heard him whimper, but she wasn’t planning on neglecting him for long. Oh, no. She wanted skin on skin. She yanked on his belt as he switched his mouth to her other breast. She gasped as she felt the air hit her wet, sensitive nipple and then moaned as his fingers raked over it gently while his mouth ravished her other one.
After she unfastened his belt, she unbuttoned his pants and drew down his zipper, the rasp of it one of the sexiest sounds she thought she’d ever heard before. Until the guttural groan that escaped Toby when she wrapped her hand around his pulsing cock. That was the sexist sound she’d ever heard in her life! Knowing she was giving a man this kind of pleasure before sex was one hell of an ego boost. She stroked him, using his leaking moisture to slicken her movements, but as she worked his cock, her pussy was clenching on nothing, aching to be penetrated. She rocked her hips back and forth, seeking contact, and he didn’t disappoint. When his mouth left her breast and found her lips, his leg shoved between hers, and she gasped into his mouth as she rode his thigh.
“That’s it, baby,” Toby murmured against her lips. He was gathering her dress up with both hands, and with sudden nervous energy, she squeezed his dick and pumped him faster. He grabbed her wrist, stilling her. “Slow down, little vixen. I don’t wanna come yet.”
Her heart was pounding and her body trembling as his finger slid under the edge of her panties. He found her wet and ready for him.
“Fuck, fuck, Krista. You’re so fucking wet, baby,” he groaned, kissing along her neck, and thrust his dick into her hand. She started stroking him again as she gasped at his intimate touch. So good, so damn good. But with her heart going a mile a minute, she frantically wondered if she should say something to him about her inexperience. As he rubbed around her clit and slid down to her opening, she couldn’t help but squeak as he gently prodded her entrance.
“I’m a virgin,” she blurted out nervously.
He instantly stilled, panting on her neck. Then he leaned back and looked into her eyes. “What?”
Heat suffused her cheeks. “I-I said, I’m a virgin,” she whispered, unable to find her voice.
He swore then pulled his hand out of her panties, so she automatically let go of his cock. Not looking at her face, he gently pulled her dress and bra back up, covering her. Then he stepped back, swallowing convulsively, and tucked his dick back in before zipping up and buckling his belt.
Finally, he looked at her as he took another step back. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten carried away like that. Please forgive me.”
Too stunned to say anything, she just watched as Toby turned and left her room.
Chapter Four
Smooth move. That was all Krista thought about as she’d tossed and turned last night, then throughout her shower and late breakfast this morning, and now sitting in the office she’d be sharing with Mikaela for the next month at least. Blurting out her virginity status during the height of passion was a rookie mistake. She should’ve just suppressed her nerves and allowed Toby to pleasure her without any kind of disclosure. It wasn’t like she still had her hymen, so he wouldn’t have had to experience breaking through her barrier. No, she’d had to turn to taking care of herself over the years, so that little piece of tissue had long been obliterated thanks to the wonders of modern sexual technology and the glorious privacy of the Internet.
Trying to focus on the task at hand, Krista flipped through case files and organized them into various piles, identifying ones that could be quickly resolved and others that needed immediate action taken because those required long waiting periods for the other parties to file responses within their statutory time frames. She’d work on those cases first. The other, less-pressing ones could be handled later.
As she shuffled through the documentation, reading and preparing the appropriate motions, answers, and other pleadings, she did her best not to think about one tall, tanned, brown-haired, and blue-green–eyed hottie who gave her more pleasure in those short, few minutes last night than any man had ever given her. Hell, even more pleasure than she’d ever given herself, and she hadn’t even climaxed! Toby’s deft hands were calloused but tender, and his kiss . . . oh, Lord, could that man kiss! He tasted of whiskey and raw sexual desire. His tongue had done things to her mouth, her breasts that sent jolts of need right to her core. She’d love nothing more than to pull her panties down and shove his face right between—
“Good morning, girl. Sorry I’m running a little late,” Mikaela said as she came barreling through the office door, clutching a cup of coffee. “Why is your skin all red? Are you hot? I can adjust the thermostat if you want.” But she gave her a knowing look, and Krista felt herself blushing harder.
Oh, great. She probably looked like she’d rather be getting laid when she should be focused on her work. No more thoughts of Toby
and his tongue! Krista shook her head and gave Mikaela a tight smile. “No, I’m fine. Just trying to weed through these cases.”
It didn’t look like Mikaela bought her answer, but to Krista’s relief, Mikaela sat down and started explaining her calendar and what needed the most attention. Krista was pleased when Mikaela praised her after realizing she’d already identified the more-pressing work and had started on those. Then they’d spent several hours working—Krista on Mikaela’s existing caseload and Mikaela on the phone with the Caldwells’ attorney, getting answers on the news Thomas had shared last night. Krista got so into her work groove she’d figured Mikaela had forgotten about the look on Krista’s face when she came into the office this morning.
“So, how’d it go with Toby last night?”
Krista jerked her head up to see Mikaela casually looking over some paperwork.
“Fine.” Crap, why did her voice have to crack? And now Mikaela was looking at her.
“Really?” Mikaela smirked. “What happened?”
“Nothing.” Another squeak of a response.
“Hmm. I don’t believe you, counselor. Let the record show you were flushed when I came in this morning, and Toby was even more evasive at breakfast than you’re being now.”
“Don’t you ‘counselor’ me, counselor. And enough with the interrogation business. I’m not talking about it.” Oh, God. Mikaela saw Toby this morning at breakfast. Krista wanted to see him, but then again, she wanted to avoid him. She was insanely attracted to him, yet totally embarrassed by the idea of having to face him again. She knew she wouldn’t be able to avoid him forever, but if she buried herself in her work, she didn’t have to think about what she should do about him.
Mikaela sighed, moving closer to her. “Listen. I just want to help. He seemed to really like you, and—”
“They all did,” Krista muttered, watching her hands as they twisted together.
Mikaela chuckled. “Yes, well, they’re men and you’re beautiful. Of course they’re interested in you, but Toby seemed to have genuine interest going on.” She leaned closer, whispering, “And I think you reciprocate that interest.”
“Yeah.” What else could she say? There was no use denying the fact Toby was a hottie. “But I messed up.” Big time.
“So, what happened?”
Krista groaned and looked up at her. “He, er, kissed me. A lot. We were in my room, making out, and I, I, shit.” She shook her head. “I blurted out I’m a virgin, and he wigged out and bolted. There. Are you happy now? I’m a total idiot.” She slumped back in her chair and covered her face, hoping to shield her humiliation.
“You never said you were a virgin,” Mikaela said woodenly.
Krista’s hands slid down her face. “That’s not something I go bragging about. Granted, I don’t think there’s any shame in it. The right guy just hasn’t come along, not that I’ve been waiting around for Mr. Right. I’ve just been too busy to go fishing in the sea of bodily lust.” Then why did being in Toby’s arms feel so incredibly right, as if she’d been saving herself for him all along? Ridiculous. That was what that was.
Mikaela seemed lost in her thoughts, so Krista didn’t continue. Then Mikaela looked over at her with an odd expression. “They’ll never believe you’re in a loving relationship that’s open sexually if you’ve never had sex before. What boyfriend in his right mind would not have sex with you but allow you to have sex with other men?”
“I don’t have a boyfriend, remember?” But even as Krista said it, she realized that Mikaela was really talking to herself and not to Krista. “Hey? What’s the big deal?”
Mikaela blinked as if she’d snapped out of whatever trance she was in and looked at Krista, finally seeing her. “Huh?”
“I said what’s the big deal about the guys knowing I’m not in a relationship?” Hell, if what Mikaela said was true and they shy away from commitment, then maybe Jack and Rob would back off if they knew she was actually available. Maybe finding out she wasn’t really a challenge by being in a relationship or some kind of loose woman who’d fuck anything that moved because of an unorthodox relationship they’d just leave her alone.
Seemed to have worked for Toby. As soon as she’d told him she was a virgin, he’d lost interest immediately. A heavy feeling settled in her chest, and she didn’t understand why. Unless that’s what real rejection feels like.
“No. No.” Mikaela stood, stalking around the room. “Let me think.”
What in the world was there to think about? Krista had only been here a day and had already screwed up any chance she had at finally discovering what sex with a living penis felt like.
After several minutes of Mikaela pacing the room, she finally turned. “I got it. Just tell Toby you don’t want anybody else knowing about your virginity. That it’s a personal thing and you don’t want everyone knowing about your personal life.”
“Even though I like that idea very much,” Krista began, because she definitely didn’t want people talking about her sex life, “how does that help, exactly? Not that I want Toby to believe I’m in a relationship, but you said it yourself. No man will not have sex with his girlfriend if they’re in an open relationship.” She rubbed her head and looked away. “Besides, I don’t think he really cares anymore.”
Mikaela came over and sat next to her. “I think you’re wrong. If I know Toby, he stopped because he does care. At least about not taking advantage of you.” She patted Krista’s knee. “We just need to convince him to keep quiet about the news, and you need to show him you’re sure about taking this step with him.”
“I was already out of my comfort zone last night when we, er, last night,” she finished lamely. “I’m not sure how to convince him that it’s him I want.”
Mikaela clutched Krista’s shoulder. “Answer me this one question. Is it Toby that you truly want? I mean, I figured you wanted him over the other two guys, and I admit I wanted you to cut loose while you were here and have some fun. But I didn’t know you were a virgin. So, when I ask if it’s Toby you want, I mean would you still pick him if you were at some random bar and he was there with a hundred other guys all vying for your attention, or is it a case of getting the pick of the litter, so to speak?”
Krista chuckled at Mikaela’s terminology, but then sobered as she considered her answer. She knew she was here on business, but she also understood there’d be men around. She did pack accordingly, bringing the new lacy underclothes and whatnots, hoping she’d get laid. But the truth was she was attracted to Toby, and she didn’t see that attraction being a product of convenience. “Yeah,” she finally answered. “Yeah, I think I’d still pick him out of a crowded room. There’s just something about him. I can’t explain it, but I want to get to know him, and I want him to be my first. I’m just at a loss of what to do now.”
Mikaela smiled. “Don’t you worry about that. If it’s Toby you want, then it’s Toby you’ll get. As of tonight, you’ll let your preference be known to all the guys, and Toby will not be able to resist you.”
Dubiously, Krista asked, “How so? What am I doing tonight?”
“We’re crashing the guys’ poker game with a little game-playing of our own.”
Trying to soak up some of Mikaela’s enthusiasm, Krista hoped the gamble would pay off.
* * * *
Toby sat in the den around the card table with his brothers, nursing his beer and fighting the urge to get something stronger to drown his sorrows. Last night had been magic, electrifying, and over way too soon. He wanted Krista as much as he needed his next breath. He knew it’d been years since he’d been with a woman, so he tried to blame his insistent need for her on that. But it just felt like an excuse. He’d long ago grown accustomed to not having sex with the occasional taken woman after his brother died. The way he saw it, he was nearing thirty and had experienced enough casual sex to last him a lifetime.
Or so he’d felt before touching Krista. When she’d put her fingers on his cheeks, she’d ignite
d an urgency inside him to take her. He wanted nothing more in that moment than to sink inside her welcoming heat and pound into her throughout the night, over and over, until neither of them could move. Hell, her touch had been just an innocent caress because the only reason she’d put her hands on his face was because she was trying to comfort him about his sweaty hands comment.
And his hands had been sweaty, but it hadn’t been his hands on her hair last night, either. She’d called him out on him licking her hair. Just like he couldn’t eat before her last night, when he’d seen her hair slightly disheveled, he instinctively tried to groom her.
Just like the fucking cat I am.
As soon as he’d touched her hair with his tongue, he knew his mistake, but there’d been no going back. He’d just been grateful his nerves had provided a valid excuse, leading to more intimate touches.
And he’d have fucked her all night long if she hadn’t told him she was a virgin. Jesus! He’d never had sex with a virgin. Hearing her say those words should’ve been like dousing ice water on his dick, but instead all he could think was mine. It’d taken a monumental effort to turn away from her last night, but he’d done it. He respected her too much to take something as precious as that from her.
No matter how much he wanted to be the one to do it.
No matter how much he wanted to be the only one to ever have sex with her ever again.
“Deuces wild,” Jack muttered as he dealt the next hand.
“Still not talking about last night, eh?” Rob asked as he shoved his cards into his hands.
