by Mari Carr
Her laughter at his joke unexpectedly released the tears she’d managed to keep at bay all night. “I’m sorry. God, I’m so sorry.”
He stepped forward quickly, enveloping her in his embrace. “I know you are.”
She pulled away, looking up into his handsome face. “I suck at this girlfriend shit.”
“You sure that’s what you are? You know, you could get lucky and we’ll figure out it’s only lust after all.”
She shook her head. “No. It’s too late for that. I’m sort of into you.”
He studied her face seriously, though his eyes betrayed the humor he was finding in the situation. “Into me. That’s good.”
“Just good?”
He grasped her hand, squeezing it tightly. “I’ve been walking around with my heart on my sleeve for weeks, begging you to date me. It’s your turn.”
She acknowledged the truth in his words, reveling in the way he pulled her closer, the smile on his face. “Yeah, well, don’t expect me to get all sappy and start reading romance novels and saying I love you and all that crap.”
“So noted. You feel like putting this girlfriend thing to the test?”
“How?”
“Leave your car here and come back to my place.”
That didn’t seem like much of a test. She quickly agreed. “Okay.”
He narrowed his eyes at her, pointing out the obvious. “You won’t have your own vehicle.”
“I know.”
“You try to steal mine in the morning and I’m arresting your ass.”
She laughed. “I’m not going anywhere, Jarod.”
“Good.”
He opened the door to his Camaro and she claimed the passenger seat. Neither of them talked as they drove to his house. Stephanie was still reeling from how easy it had been. She’d opened herself up to a commitment and all that it entailed—fights, jealousy, breakups. Something told her the possibility of those things was going to be overshadowed, if not completely obliterated, by the good stuff—laughter, sex, dating.
Strangely she’d sort of expected the ground to open up and swallow her after she’d made her commitment to him known. Or at least a lightning strike in the near vicinity. She hadn’t anticipated how natural all of this would feel.
When they arrived at his house, she followed him in, neither of them speaking or stopping as he led the way to his bedroom.
“In a hurry?” she teased.
“I’m about to explode. Take off those clothes. I’m in the mood to do a little partying naked.”
They helped each other undress, their hands fumbling in their haste. When they were completely naked, Jarod picked Stephanie up and tossed her on the bed. She giggled as she bounced, the sound dying in her throat when he grasped her wrists, quickly and effectively handcuffing her to his headboard.
“What the hell?”
“Thought you might need a little help staying put.”
She fought against the restraints, trying to ignore the arousal dampening her pussy. God, this was totally hot. “You’re cheating on the test.”
“Mmm hmm,” he hummed, placing a soft kiss on her stomach.
“This is a false arrest.”
He ran his hands along her rib cage before taking a breast in each hand. “You can report me to my captain in the morning. I’ll invite him around for breakfast if you want.”
“Jarod.”
He paused, looking at her. “Do you really want me to set you free?”
She shook her head, not needing a moment to think about it. “Later. You can unlock the cuffs after you rock my world.”
He grinned. “That’s my girl.”
Jarod bent forward, taking her nipple into his mouth. She groaned at the tight suction, the pleasurable pain sending sparks throughout her body. She squirmed as Jarod licked, sucked and bit every inch of her sensitive skin.
Swiping his tongue through the valley between breasts, he straddled her stomach and she recalled the night he said he wanted to fuck her there.
He glanced at her. She was his captive, his to control and command. And yet…
“Do it.”
He grinned in the face of her permission and she winked at him. She’d never be anyone’s toy.
Placing his cock in the valley, he gripped her breasts and pushed them together. Rubbing them against his hard-on, he moved forward and back, letting the friction of her body drive his arousal. This position gave her the perfect view of his incredible body. She enjoyed the flush that covered his cheeks, licking her lips as she imagined tasting the slight tang of the sweat glistening on his chest. His breathing hitched and she knew he was close.
“Come on me.”
His unfocused gaze drifted to her face and he shook his head. “No. Not tonight.” He released her breasts and she instantly felt the loss of his body heat as he moved away. She pressed her legs together, amazed to realize how aroused she was.
She heard the clinking of metal and glanced above her head in time to see him remove the cuffs. While she’d loved his bondage—and couldn’t wait to explore that concept with him more later—she was grateful for her freedom.
She ran her fingers through his thick hair and stroked his hard muscles. Jarod kissed her and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he placed his cock at the entrance to her body.
“I love being with you, Stephanie.”
She smiled and decided to hell with it when she felt the first tear slide down her cheek.
Jarod captured her gaze and held it as he pushed inside. She sighed with relief when he was buried to the hilt. She needed this. Needed him.
Resting on his elbows, Jarod held her face in his hands as he kissed her, his cock rocking in and out, the slow and steady pace more erotic than the hard thrusts she’d come to love. He was surrounding her with his body, his strength. Soon, she was trembling beneath him, her climax seeming to last forever.
She heard Jarod’s relieved cries as he came, filling her with his come, both of them clinging to each other as the sensual storm crashed over them.
Jarod moved to the side, taking Stephanie with him, neither of them ready to separate yet. They lay facing each other for several long minutes, neither of them sleeping or speaking.
Finally, Stephanie broke the silence. “This is nice.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Nice?”
She nodded, kissing him lightly. “Yep, it’s very nice.”
Giggling, she closed her eyes, letting sleep claim her. She was comfortable and warm in Jarod’s embrace and, for the first time ever, she was looking forward to the morning.
* * * * *
Jarod rolled over, the sun burning through his eyelids. Taking a deep breath, he slowly opened his eyes.
Stephanie lay beside him, watching.
“Surprise,” she whispered.
He grinned, pulling her close. “Morning. Good thing you stayed. I have a big breakfast planned.”
“Oh yeah? Can I make a small request?”
He placed a quick kiss on the end of her nose. “Anything.”
“Can this be a clothing-optional breakfast?”
“Is there any other kind?”
The End
About the Author
Some people fall apart on their 30th birthday, others on their 40th. For Mari Carr, 34 was the year that took her down. After she spent the day crying and saying, “I haven’t done anything I thought I would,” her husband finally asked what was left undone. Her answer was simple—she hadn’t written a book or decorated her house. “So do it,” he said.
Five years later, the house is sparkling with fresh paint and new furniture and her computer is jammed full of stories—novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends. The lesson: It’s never too late to achieve a goal or two!
High school librarian and English teacher by day and mother of two busy teenagers, Mari Carr finds time for writing by squeezing it into the hours between 3 a.m. and daybreak when her family is asleep and the house is quiet.
/> With the publication of her first book, her latest goal—publishing before 40—has been achieved with a couple of years to spare. Phew!
Mari welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Mari Carr
Black Jack
Cougar Challenge: Assume the Positions
Covert Lessons
Everything Nice
Inflamed
Kiss Me, Kate
Rekindled
Retreat
Scoring
Spitfire
Sugar and Spice
Three Reasons Why
Wild Irish 1: Come Monday
Wild Irish 2: Ruby Tuesday
Wild Irish 3: Waiting for Wednesday
Wild Irish 4: Sweet Thursday
Wild Irish 5: Friday I’m in Love
Wild Irish 6: Saturday Night Special
Wild Irish 7: Any Given Sunday
Print books by Mari Carr
Retreat
Sugar and Spice, Everything Nice
Tease the Cougar anthology
Wild Irish: Wild Days anthology
Wild Irish: Wild Nights anthology
Wild Irish: Wild Times anthology
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
www.ellorascave.com
