No. When Lauren fell in love again, it would be with a man who would cherish her forever and never even look at another woman.
Assuming that such a man existed.
She’d worry about that after Kyle made her feel alive one more time.
Even though she’d played with his expectations on Thursday night, she wasn’t going to work her way through all of the possibilities just to keep seeing him. (Although she did consider that possibility for a minute.)
On this night, Lauren would be herself and no one else, and if Kyle didn’t want that, well, so be it. Their ways could part again.
She was wearing jeans and a plain shirt. Her lingerie was practical white cotton, not frilly or provocative. No make-up and her hair was just pulled up in a ponytail. She wasn’t a siren by any measure. Lauren smiled as she tugged on her boots and anorak, recognizing that she might not end up having sex with him at all.
That was okay. It would break the spell.
She changed her mind about the food and ordered from the new Thai place she’d been meaning to try. The menu was more in line with what Kyle tended to eat and she was ready for a change herself. It took a little longer for her order to be prepared, but smelled divine when she picked it up.
It was still pouring rain and she’d run from her building to the restaurant, but once she had the food, she grabbed a cab. It was too much to manage the take-out bag and her umbrella, and by the time she walked to Kyle’s place, dinner would be cold. The city was gray and the streets were slick, the clouds hanging low overhead. It was a bit chilly, too.
Kyle buzzed Lauren in immediately. In the elevator, she admitted just how excited she was to be seeing him again. There was no denying that her heart was skipping a little faster, that she felt flushed, that there was a welcome warmth deep inside her in anticipation of what they would probably do.
She could have been eighteen again.
But she wasn’t nearly as innocent.
Lauren smiled, acknowledging Kyle’s affect on her. His rules about letting people visit his apartment must be more lax than he’d indicated, given that this was her third visit in less than a week. He was becoming a habit, one she didn’t want to break, but she knew for the sake of her heart, this should be her last visit.
* * *
At Lauren’s knock, the door to Kyle’s apartment was silently swept open and she caught her breath at the sight. The apartment was in shadow, lit only by the glow of dozens of flickering candles. Rain beat against the windows and water streaked the glass, obscuring the view.
It was romantic and seductive, a private cave for seduction. One thing was for sure: Kyle wasn’t subtle about making his intentions clear.
Lauren loved that.
She stepped into the apartment, enchanted by his preparations.
The door was flicked shut and she felt Kyle’s presence behind her just before she heard the deadbolt shoot home. She was going to comment on the candles, but suddenly a length of cloth was wrapped over her eyes and she gasped instead. Kyle blindfolded her quickly, spun her in place, then lifted the bag of food from her hands.
“Don’t move,” he whispered and the fan of his breath against her ear made her shiver.
Lauren’s lips parted as he moved away. She couldn’t quite hear his steps but she felt his absence. The patter of the rain seemed louder and she could smell the candles. She took a deep breath of their vanilla scent just as Kyle returned. “Mixing things up?” she asked, her voice a little breathless.
“I thought we’d try something different,” he murmured, tipping her chin up with a fingertip.
“You just don’t want me to see your nose,” she accused.
“Quiet!” he commanded, his lips brushing across hers so lightly that she was left tingling and hungry for more. He kissed her more resolutely then, his hands framing her face in a possessive and protective way. Lauren felt herself open to him and his caress. It seemed that her senses were heightened when she couldn’t see.
His kiss turned playful as soon as she responded to him, a little bit elusive, as if he meant to tease her. She reached for him but he caught her wrists, one in each hand, and kept her from touching him.
“Hands clasped behind your back,” he ordered, urging her into the pose. “Tonight, you’re the object of desire.”
“Anyone’s desire?” she asked because she couldn’t resist.
“Just mine.”
“But...”
His mouth brushed roughly over hers. “Shh. Don’t be naughty just yet.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ll have to spank you now, of course, instead of later.” He paused when she straightened a little and she could almost feel him studying her. His voice turned silky. “Would you like that?”
“I don’t know.”
“There’s a first time for everything,” he murmured and Lauren shivered with anticipation.
“I guess there is.” A lump rose in her throat, but she held the pose as instructed. Her senses were on alert, waiting for Kyle, not certain what he would do, but wanting more.
She realized that she trusted him completely.
The stroke of his fingertips along her jaw left her quivering with need and she felt her nipples bead. He untied her scarf, sliding it out from her collar so that the silk flowed over her skin. Lauren didn’t know where it went. Maybe he hung it up. Maybe he threw it on the floor. She didn’t really care. He unzipped her anorak, easing it over her shoulders, and its weight fell to bunch at her wrists.
“Let it go,” he murmured against her lips.
Lauren did as instructed, clasping her hands together tightly again once the jacket had dropped to the floor. Kyle’s lips continued to nip at hers, tormenting her with those light kisses. She was melting, a throb of need growing within her.
The warmth of his hands landed on the front of her shirt, his fingers brushing against her skin. He unfastened each button leisurely, trailing kisses down her throat and chest. Lauren tipped her head back, surrendering to his caress. He pushed it over her shoulders so that it slid to her wrists.
“Let it go,” he commanded again and she unclasped her hands long enough for the shirt to fall. She’d rolled up the sleeves earlier, and even though she’d unrolled them to put on her anorak, the cuffs weren’t buttoned. She heard the shirt land on top of her jacket, piled against the back of her legs. The air was cool on her skin and Kyle’s lips were warm.
She felt as if they were alone in the world. The sounds of the city were distant and muted. Mostly, she heard the rain, the sizzle of the candles, the steady rhythm of Kyle’s breathing. It was intoxicating to have his undivided attention like this. One strong hand cupped her breast, his thumb teasing the nipple through her bra.
“You like this,” he whispered against her skin, then pinched her taut nipple.
“I do,” Lauren admitted, hearing that her voice was husky.
He unfastened the front of her bra and pushed it over her shoulders as well, baring her breasts. Again, she felt him looking and her nipples hardened even more. She let the bra fall to the floor, too, then clasped her hands together again. Kyle’s hair brushed against her skin, warning her just before he took her nipple in his mouth. Lauren gasped and he lifted her breast with one hand and braced her back with the other.
When she purred with pleasure, he suckled her with greater force. She arched backward, letting him support her weight. She felt his teeth graze her nipple and his tongue caress it and she writhed a little in his embrace. She was wet already, hot and hungry for him, and she knew he knew it. He tormented her until she thought she might come, right there in the foyer, then he lifted his head. Her nipple felt cold and it tightened even more. Kyle steadied her on her feet and unfastened the top of her jeans.
His thumb pressed into her navel, the pressure and the warmth of his hand spread across her belly, which made Lauren feel delicate and treasured. She caught her breath and savored his touch as he tugged down her jeans and slid his fingers
beneath the lace of her panties. She heard herself moan when he touched the wet heat of her and she took a little step to one side to give him greater access.
“You like this, too,” he mused. Lauren managed to nod before he tugged down her panties. He backed her into the wall, cupped her butt in his hands to lift her to her toes, then closed his mouth over her. She jumped, startled, but Kyle held her captive with one hand, his tongue making her crazy, even as he helped her to kick off her shoes and jeans and panties. She hadn’t even made it out of the foyer and she was already nude and completely in his thrall.
It was heavenly.
She spread her thighs wider as he feasted upon her, and heard herself moan with pleasure.
“Naughty, naughty Lor,” he murmured against her, then nipped her clitoris with his teeth and sent a surge of fire through her veins. “It seems I’ll have to teach you a lesson tonight.”
“Please do,” she managed to say and heard him laugh before his mouth closed over her again. He was so good at this. Lauren wished he could eat her every single day. Maybe two or three times. Being blindfolded seemed to make it even better.
She stretched out her toe, seeking him, and smiled when she felt Kyle’s hip beneath the ball of her foot. She slid her foot across the front of his jeans and her smile widened when she felt the zipper, and his erection straining the denim behind it.
“You like this, too,” she whispered, then slid her toe up and down slowly until she felt him shudder. He groaned against her and Lauren laughed, liking how well they could drive each other crazy.
“How very bad you are tonight,” he murmured, his voice low and dark in a way that made her tremble. “Time for a little punishment, I think.”
Lauren thought it was punishment enough to be teased with such pleasure, but Kyle clearly had other ideas. He cast her over his shoulder and carried her somewhere. She felt herself spin in the air and reached out for him, forgetting to keep her hands clasped.
“Very naughty,” he added just before she was put down and felt cool leather against her belly. There was carpet beneath her feet and she guessed he’d bent her over one of the club chairs. She felt his foot between her ankles, nudging her legs apart. “Feet wide,” he commanded. “Don’t move them or I’ll tie you down.”
“Is this what you teach at F5 now?”
“This and a whole lot more.” He stretched her hands forward, over the chair so that she was grasping the front of each arm. “On your toes,” he said, putting his hand on the small of her back. “Arch your back so that your butt is in the air.” His voice hardened. “Don’t move.”
Lauren opened her mouth to protest, then gasped aloud when his hand collided with the underside of her ass with a smack. He stroked the same spot while she was still astonished at the sting of the blow, sliding the weight of his hand over the point of impact in a slow caress. His hand eased between her legs and he fingered her wetness, the press of his finger on her clitoris confusing her reaction.
She was more than aroused.
She felt as if every nerve ending had jumped to attention. Her skin was tingling. Her puss was burning. She was hot and agitated and ready for more.
“Again,” she whispered, and Kyle chuckled.
“You bad, bad girl,” he murmured and even his words sent a thrill through her.
The second stroke and the subsequent caress had Lauren rubbing her belly against the smooth leather. This time, Kyle traced a fingertip around her tattoo. The third had her arching her back, desperate for more. The fourth made her moan low and deep, a sound she’d never made before, and one that made Kyle swear under his breath.
“Don’t move,” he threatened again. “Or I’ll tie you where I want you.”
If she hadn’t been blindfolded, Lauren would have run, just to see what he would do.
No sooner did she have that thought, then she realized that her hands weren’t tied. She would be disobedient. That would surprise him. Kyle had stepped away and she heard the zipper on his jeans. Lauren took advantage of the moment to push off the blindfold, then run.
There wasn’t far she could go and no chance of escape—even if she had wanted to get away—but she liked challenging Kyle’s expectations. He swore when she fled toward the bedroom. She heard him stumble and looked back to see that he’d had one leg still in his jeans.
He came racing after her with satisfying speed. In a way, she wanted to stop and watch. He was so gorgeous, his eyes flashing and his grin pure trouble. Instead, she ran. He cornered her in the bedroom and snatched her up, tossing her on the bed as he discarded his T-shirt. She rolled across the mattress, but he leaped around the bed and met her on that side.
He was ready for her defiance, apparently, because he had a length of cloth. He bound her wrists together before she could wriggle free. He rolled her over, bracing his knee against her back and tugging her wrists over her head. The tie went around her waist and her wrists were secured behind her shoulders. She felt stretched and captive, as well as exposed.
But not nearly helpless.
Kyle rolled her to her back again and smiled with satisfaction as she fought her bonds. He reached for a condom and Lauren rolled across the mattress. She ran back into the living room. Kyle thundered after her, grabbing her around the waist and dropping to the floor, then rolling so that she was beneath him.
“You’re so very naughty,” he said, his eyes shining.
“You like it that way.”
“Guilty as charged.” He surveyed her with a smile. “How about you?”
“Yes.” She considered him for a moment. “You’re right. Purple is a good color for you.”
He growled and sat up, casting her over his knee for three more quick blows to her butt. Lauren thrashed in his grip because it seemed to be expected, and was surprised to discover how much she was enjoying his discipline. It was the way his fingers moved against her, mixing the punishment with the pleasure. The contrast was exciting her even more, and she wondered how long they’d both last. She bucked her hips, squirming against Kyle’s hand, wanting a lot more than his fingers inside her.
“I should make you beg for it,” he murmured.
“I should make you pay for this,” she replied and he laughed.
“Go ahead,” he challenged, and Lauren didn’t need a second invitation. She moved quickly, twisting so that she could take him in her mouth again. Kyle moaned in a very satisfying way, proving that he wasn’t immune to the power of their game, either. She managed only a few long, slow strokes before he swore and scooped her up again.
This time he cast her over his shoulder and held her legs trapped against his chest as he carried her back into the bedroom and put on a condom. She writhed against him, grinding her hips against his shoulder, and was very pleased when he muttered a curse. He dropped her onto the bed, then moved quickly to trap her beneath his weight. It was exactly where Lauren wanted to be, and she smiled up at him with satisfaction as he buried himself inside her with a single stroke.
They sighed in unison.
She wriggled her hips. “Made for each other.”
“A perfect fit,” Kyle agreed easily. Lauren’s heart gave a little skip but he probably said that to everyone.
The realization might have taken some of the heat out of the moment, but he bent to capture his lips with his own, teasing her with a thorough kiss that left her thinking of only one thing.
Kyle.
He braced himself over her. “So, you don’t mind being restrained?”
“It’s kind of hot.”
He took a long, slow stroke, and she knew it was no coincidence that the length of him rubbed against her clitoris. “Because you could still run?”
“Maybe.”
“And the spanking?”
“Unexpected. Tantalizing.” Lauren smiled. “Not really punishment.”
“Maybe I’m doing it wrong.”
“Maybe we should try again.”
He moved deeper inside her then and she gaspe
d at the sensation.
This was all that mattered.
This moment.
This feeling.
This sweet union.
She wrapped her legs around Kyle’s waist, wanting all he could give and more. This would be the last time. She knew it in her heart and her soul, and she was determined to savor every instant of their evening together. She took a deep breath of the scent of his skin and arched her back so that her breasts rubbed against his chest. She loved how hard and strong he was, how gentle he could be, how he knew exactly how to send her over the moon.
Then Kyle did just that, timing it perfectly, and Lauren dared to wish, for just one moment, for something that could never be.
* * *
Once again, Lor surprised him.
Kyle was starting to wonder if he’d ever be able to fully anticipate her. She’d liked the domination more than he’d expected. He’d untied her and they’d done it again in the shower, then she claimed that old denim shirt and they investigated the take-out. It had cooled off a bit, but they warmed it up in the microwave before sitting down to eat by candlelight.
The golden light made her look mysterious as well as beautiful. Kyle could have looked at her all night long. He was chasing a noodle with his chopsticks, wondering how he’d get her to stop calling and knowing he didn’t want to force it, when she put down her own chopsticks.
“So, who gets to keep the shirt?” she asked.
Kyle looked up. “What shirt?”
“This shirt. You obviously haven’t been wearing it and I like it. Can I take it home?”
He sat back, surprised and unhappy with the suggestion. “Why can’t it stay here?”
“Because this is it, Kyle. You know it and I know it. Three times is a lot more than I expected when I called you last Wednesday, but now it’s time to move on.”
“And you’re going to take my shirt.” He managed to sound affronted, but the idea of not having it around bothered him more than he knew it should.
Addicted to Love Page 16
