by Mandy Harbin
“Nothing to tell.” Toby shrugged, organizing his own cards. Whatever happened—or didn’t happen—last night was nobody’s business as far as he was concerned.
“You had your chance and struck out,” Rob said as he threw some chips into the pot, raising the bid. “I’m sure I’ll have better luck.”
Josh matched Rob’s bid, and Jack folded. After Toby raised again, Rob called. Josh won, and the other guys tossed their cards into a pile.
“Not if I get to her first,” Jack growled, taking a swig of his beer.
“You both need to just back off and give her some damn breathing room,” Toby barked as Rob dealt the next hand.
Josh smiled at him as he took a pull on his beer, thankfully not voicing anything.
“Oh, no, brother, you didn’t do any backing off last night,” Jack said. “You got lucky getting the opportunity to take her to her room, and it’s not our fault you weren’t able to charm the panties off her.”
Toby growled and slammed his beer down, holding it in a death grip. He was about to come across this table and punch the daylights out of his older brother when the door to the den swung open and Mikaela and Krista walked in.
Toby stood, as did his brothers, since it was the polite thing to do, but the moment his eyes landed on Krista, he couldn’t look away.
Oh, God. She was wearing jeans and cowboy boots and an unbuttoned flannel shirt exposing a white tank top. A sexy, little, low-cut, white tank top. Shit. His dick was getting hard just staring at how incredibly hot her curvy body was, showcased in such casual clothing.
Mikaela fanned her hands. “Sit, sit. We just got bored hanging out by ourselves and figured we’d see what you guys were up to.”
The guys all sat. Toby immediately grabbed his beer and took a long drink.
“Hi, kitten. Did you get a lot of work done today?” Josh asked Mikaela as the girls got closer to the table.
Mikaela sat on Josh’s lap and kissed him. “Mmm-hmm.”
But Toby wasn’t paying attention to his brother and his brother’s wife. His eyes were glued on the hot goddess sashaying around the table.
And she was staring right back at him.
Fuck, she was coming closer.
Then to his utter shock, she sat on his lap. Holy shit! He gaped at her as she took the beer out of his hand and guzzled it, her pale throat working as she swallowed it down. Reflexively, he put his arm around her to steady her on his lap, but he was unable to take his eyes off the smooth column of her neck. He couldn’t help it—he groaned and leaned closer to her, smelling her freshly washed skin. Finally she pulled the bottle away from her luscious mouth and turned to him, licking the rim.
“Yummy. Tastes like you.”
What the fuck! I thought you said nothing happened last night, Rob yelled mentally.
But Toby didn’t acknowledge him. All he could do was watch his little vixen lick that bottle like she was relishing the taste of his cock. His already hard dick grew impossibly harder.
“Is that right?” Toby murmured.
“Oh, yeah.” After one last lick, she handed the beer back to him. “You should see if it tastes like me now.”
Keeping his eyes on her, he brought the bottle up to his lips and licked before taking a swig. Krista nuzzled his neck and brought her lips up to his ear. “I love the way you taste,” she whispered.
Oh, fuck it. He could do a whole hell of a lot of things with this woman that didn’t actually include penetration. Starting with the both of them tasting each other all over. As he put the beer on the table, he leaned in for a kiss. The beer bottle did have a faint flavor of her, but he wanted it directly from the source.
But as he got near to her lips, she turned and picked up his cards. “Can I play with you?”
“You can play with me anytime, baby.” He pulled her closer to him, her thigh rubbing against his erection. Her gaze cut to him, and a knowing smile teased her lips. She pressed her leg harder against his cock, and his mouth fell open on a soft growl.
“It’s your bet, hotshot,” Jack snapped.
Toby sat a little straighter, pulling the cards Krista was holding into view. “What do you think?” he asked her.
“Hmm. I don’t know. I think we should raise.”
“You don’t even know what the current bet is,” Rob grumbled.
Toby’s head snapped at Rob. Knock it off! He picked up a couple of chips and then a few more. “Doesn’t matter. We’re raising.”
Everyone looked over at Josh for his bet, but he was too busy kissing his wife. Toby tried to hide his smile but was unsuccessful. “Josh, dude, it’s your turn, man.”
He pulled away from Mikaela’s mouth and looked at his cards, but he didn’t seem to be paying much attention since his wife was kissing his neck and rubbing his chest. “Call.” He threw a bunch of chips into the pile then slid his hand into his wife’s hair, pulling her mouth back to his.
Toby chuckled at his brother’s public display of affection, but his laughter died when he felt Krista’s tongue in his ear. He groaned, fisting a hand in her hair to hold her close, keeping her mouth right where he wanted it.
At least for now. Later he’d want her mouth other places. His dick twitched, seconding that mental suggestion.
“Pair of aces,” Jack grumbled, tossing his cards over.
“Two pair. Jacks high,” Rob said curtly, showing his cards.
“Full house,” Toby panted, flipping his cards over then wrapping that arm around Krista’s waist.
“Beats me,” Josh said.
“Fuck, can you two jackasses pay attention for one damn minute?” Jack said.
Krista pulled away, wiping her lips. She looked at the other guys, but Toby couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“Sorry,” she said sweetly. “I’ll behave. I swear.”
“Yeah, yeah. Me, too,” Mikaela agreed.
“It’s my turn to deal,” Jack said, reaching for the deck and gathering the cards everyone tossed over to him.
Toby turned his head and nuzzled Krista’s neck. “I take it you’re not mad at me for leaving last night?” he whispered.
She turned to look at him, stroking his cheek. “Not at all,” she said, matching his tone. “I think it was a very noble thing you did.” She quirked an eyebrow. “Unnecessary, but noble.”
He chuckled softly, then gave her a quick kiss, knowing if he lingered, he’d maul her right here at this table.
“Um, I’d like to keep what was said just between us,” she murmured. “You know . . . about me.”
He stroked her cheek then rested his forehead against hers. “Of course. But, er, I think we have some things to clear up.” Like how the hell her boyfriend agreed to her having an open relationship when that guy hadn’t even fucked her. That thought hadn’t escaped him. In fact, it’d been the thought dominating all others since he’d left her last night. He couldn’t find a reason that made sense. Toby’s jaw clenched at the thought of another man bedding her, but like he’d been doing all day, he tamped down that possessive urge. He had no right to it, and if he didn’t want to hurt this woman, he’d better keep any primal tendencies where she was concerned at bay.
“We can talk all you want.” She smiled softly, leaning a little closer. “In the morning. Because I have a feeling tonight any talking will consist of dirty words muttered in the heat of passion while you fuck me hard.”
He groaned. How the hell was he going to play with her and not fuck her? His resolve to do the noble thing was wavering, and he still needed answers. As she kissed his neck he couldn’t help but agree with her. Tomorrow. He’d get the answers tomorrow.
Chapter Five
Krista sat on Toby’s lap, playing cards with all the guys and doing her best to stay focused. She knew she felt out of her element last night. Tonight, she felt like a completely different person.
Not that she was pretending to be something she wasn’t. She knew she had a sexual side buried beneath her sheltered exterior, b
ut she’d never embraced it before. So she had to fight her tendencies to run up to her room, change into some sweats, take out her contacts, put on her glasses, and read a book. Her little pep talk with Mikaela this afternoon had helped her muster up the courage to come in this room and walk straight over to Toby, but within minutes that confidence waned. Biting her lip as she looked at the cards, she wondered if she was overdoing it. She wanted to be irresistible to Toby and show the other guys just who exactly she had eyes for, but at the same time, she didn’t want to throw herself at Toby. What if he rejected her again?
And what if he didn’t believe the story she’d conjured up about her fake boyfriend? God, why in the world Mikaela was insisting she keep up that ruse, Krista hadn’t the foggiest idea. But even though Mikaela wasn’t a senior partner, she did outrank Krista and Krista was here working on her cases. If she stayed on Mikaela’s good side, then only good would come of that at the office. But she hated lying to Toby. What if something real developed with him? He’d be pissed when he found out she’d been lying to him. Of course, he could also be thrilled to learn she was an available woman.
But they’d never even get to that point without Krista coaxing Toby since he was obviously some knight in shining armor, allowing her to maintain her virtue. Which brought her back to her immediate worry—was she coming on too strong?
He pulled her close and nibbled on her ear. “What’s wrong, baby?”
She exhaled heavily, not realizing she’d been holding her breath, his gentle concern giving her renewed hope that she was on the right course. She had to stop second-guessing herself. She obviously had something going on that appealed to this man. After turning to him, she smiled, then leaned her head against his.
“Nothing. Just a long day.”
He kissed her temple. “C’mon, I’ll walk you to your room.” He started to get up, but Krista put her hands on his shoulders to stay him.
“No.” Crap. She didn’t want this night to end. She wasn’t tired. She was horny, and the day had been long because she’d spent a good part of it fantasizing about what Toby looked like naked. “Um, I, er—”
“Toby,” Mikaela interrupted, and Krista gave her a grateful look. “Why don’t you take Krista for a walk? We’ve been cooped up here all day, and I’m sure she’d love to get some fresh air.” She turned to Krista. “The stars are beautiful out here. Looks like you can reach up and touch them.”
Krista smiled at Mikaela then turned to Toby. “I’d like that.”
He half-smiled at her, scooting his chair to the side so they could more easily get up. “Then let’s go. I’ve taken enough of their money for one night.”
“You were just lucky,” Rob grumbled.
Toby looked at her, and the intensity of his gaze made her heart beat faster, her tummy tingle. God, she was so head-over-heels for this man. It didn’t make sense. She hardly knew him, but she couldn’t deny it.
“No,” Toby started, keeping his eyes on Krista, “I am lucky.”
She couldn’t breathe. If he wasn’t careful, she’d jump his bones right here and now.
“C’mon, baby. Let me show you the grounds.”
After she mumbled some good-byes, Toby took her by the hand and led her out of the room. He complimented her on her outfit and engaged in other small talk as they walked outside, all the while rubbing soft circles on the back of her hand. She smiled up at him like some lovesick teenager facing her first crush, and in some ways that was exactly what he was. She couldn’t remember feeling this way about another person before.
“Oh, wow,” Krista breathed, looking up at the sky as soon as they cleared the porch. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Yeah, it really is. I guess I’m just used to seeing it all the time.”
They took a few more steps, but Krista couldn’t take her eyes off the sky. It was flooded with twinkling lights, like large diamonds in the sky. And the moon was huge, too. She could make out the craters with surprising clarity.
As they walked, Krista asked Toby about the family business, and he told her about tree farming, not leaving out any of the strenuous details. She couldn’t help but smile at him when he spoke of his family and the livelihood that supported their way of life. He loved the outdoors, but she figured all of his brothers did. As they walked around the other side of the house and farther away from it, she started to get a little nervous. Not because of being alone with Toby, but because she was in the middle of a dang forest. And now they were standing at the edge of the woods.
“Is it safe out here?” she asked, her voice trembling.
He pulled her up against his chest, stroking her hair. “I won’t let anything get you,” he murmured.
She stared up into his eyes, their sparkle rivaling the starry sky, and leaned closer, licking her lips.
He groaned, bent down, and brushed his lips against hers. “I can’t explain what it is you do to me, Krista.”
He didn’t give her an opportunity to respond. He took her mouth in a heated kiss, and she returned it, pouring all she had to give into it. She wound her arms around his neck and popped up on her toes to get as close to him as possible, loving the feel of his body against the full length of hers.
Hard muscle met soft curves, and it felt like a perfect match. Toby’s hands slid into her hair, fisting it as he kissed her harder, and the little sting on her scalp pulsed straight to her pussy. She moaned, her hands digging into his hair.
Toby growled, grabbing her by the waist and spinning her. Her back landed against the rough bark of a tree, but she didn’t care. She just didn’t want him to stop.
It was clear he had no intentions of doing that.
He rubbed his hard cock against her belly, but that wasn’t where she wanted it. She lifted one leg to hook over his hip, and he reached down and grabbed her knee to hold her leg up.
It still wasn’t enough.
She started raising her other leg, so Toby took her cue and grabbed her ass, lifting her right where she wanted to be. She undulated against his cock as she wrapped both legs around his waist.
“Oh, fuck, baby.” He thrust against her, trailing kisses along her neck, as the bark bit into her back.
“Toby,” she breathed. She was at a loss for words, too overwhelmed with every sensation. She wanted him to take her right here, and the way he was grinding himself against her as he sucked and bit the sensitive skin where her neck met her shoulder only made her want it that much more.
She shoved her hand between them and pulled his shirt out from his pants. He hissed when she burrowed her hand beneath his jeans, not bothering to unbuckle his belt or unsnap his pants. She stroked his cock, and he thrust his hips, pushing himself against her arm that was between them while he snaked his hand down her low-cut top, seeking out a breast with one hand and squeezing her ass with the other. He took possession of her mouth again with a breathless, frantic kiss.
She worked his cock, jacking him off with a firm, quick motion while he played with her nipple and ate at her lips. Then his head tore away from her on a growl. “Oh, shit, shit. I’m gonna—stop, stop, baby.” He seized her hand. “I don’t want to come like this.” He dug his head into the crook of her neck, panting.
She rested her cheek against his hair, trying to get herself together as it seemed Toby was trying to do. She wasn’t sure what she should say. She definitely wasn’t ready to call it a night. Oh, hell no.
He leaned back, kissing her forehead, his lips lingering there. “Come with me to my cabin?” He tried phrasing it as a question, but the look in his eyes was demanding.
“Cabin? I thought you had a room in the main house.”
He kissed her gently, a soft brush of his lips against hers. “I do. But we all have our own cabins. After Josh and Mikaela got married, they picked one out and said they needed some privacy, being very insistent on claiming one particular cabin for some reason, so Dad told us all to pick one out.” He nuzzled her hair. “I want some privacy with you tonight.”
“Just tonight?”
He chuckled. “No, but it’s a start.”
Why that answer delighted her so much, she couldn’t say.
* * * *
Toby unlocked the cabin with the key that was resting atop the doorjamb. He didn’t know why he felt so nervous bringing Krista here.
Bullshit. He knew exactly why he was nervous. He hadn’t been with a woman in years. He’d been two seconds away from ripping her jeans off and fucking her against that tree, but now that he’d been granted a respite, he couldn’t help but wonder if he should go through with this. Not just because she was a virgin, but because deep down he knew, just knew, he wouldn’t be able to let her go once they’d taken this step.
And that scared the shit out of him because he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted another woman.
“Nice.”
His head snapped up to look at her. She was surveying his cabin with a look of honest appreciation.
“Yeah, well, it’s the biggest one. Not that I picked it for that reason. It’s the closest to the woods.”
“I like being close to the woods.” She walked toward him, slowly peeling off her loose flannel shirt and leaving her in that sexy tank top. His mouth dried at the sight of her. Then she whipped that shirt off, too, and he shut his eyes briefly, too overwhelmed. God, he needed this to be slow for her, but what he really wanted to do was rip off her clothes, throw her on the ground, and fuck her so hard, she’d give him her throat in a sign of total submission. Then he wanted to sink his fangs right—fuck! He couldn’t think about that. She could not be his mate, damn it. Thank God, she was a taken woman. Maybe he’d just nix the whole conversation with her about her boyfriend and have her e-mail him the answers once she got back to her office. The idea that her answer could ignite his need to claim her was too risky to chance.
She bent over to pull off her boots, socks, and jeans, and he stepped back and leaned against the desk that was behind him, gripping it to keep from touching her. He’d let her set the pace. He had to because if he touched her right now, he’d lose all control.
