Heartfire: A Second Chance Romance

by Joanna Blake

  One light, feathery kiss.

  Then nothing.

  Cool air hit my skin as he blew on me, sending shivers up and down my spine.

  "I don't want to control you. I just want you to give me a chance."

  His tongue danced lightly over my lips.

  "Ahhhhh..."

  He was smiling as he kissed me there. I could feel it. Little nibbling kisses that were driving me mad.

  "Is that really so much to ask?"

  "Hmmmfff... Daniel..."

  He lifted his head to look at me.

  "Yes?"

  "Please..."

  He shook his head ruefully and went back to taunting me with his amazing mouth. His hands rubbed my hips soothingly. But I was not soothed. I was burning up. Aching. Empty.

  It went on for so long that I started to lose a sense of time. It was dark outside now, I knew that. And still Daniel was toying with me, using his tongue to keep me on the edge.

  Finally, I had enough. I was willing to compromise. I had to. I would go insane if he did not give me release. My voice was raw and husky when I finally broke my silence.

  "How long?"

  He lifted his head again.

  "How long what?"

  "How long... do you want me for?"

  He tilted his head as he stared at me.

  "I'm not sure yet. Why?"

  His fingers continued the slow teasing work of his mouth while we bargained.

  "I will stay... Ahhhh! I will stay for two weeks."

  "Six."

  "Four."

  He smiled at me innocently.

  "Four weeks. To start. Promise me Francesca. You are mine for four weeks."

  I moaned as he bent down and pressed his tongue inside me.

  "Ye-yes!"

  "Say it. I am yours for four weeks Daniel."

  I whimpered. He wasn't playing fair. His tongue was circling inside me, stroking every sensitive inch of me.

  "I am- oh God!"

  "Say it Francesca. I can stay here all night."

  "No.... Please!"

  He was silent, his breath fanning my skin as he waited.

  "I am yours... for four weeks."

  He grinned, sliding up my body.

  "With an option to renew."

  "I didn't say-"

  I stopped speaking as he flexed his hips, driving his cock inside me. It was bare. He was taking me without protection.

  "Daniel!"

  He grinned down at me as he started making lazy thrusts with his hips.

  "Do you want me to stop?"

  "NO! I- oh...."

  The feel of him was like nothing I had ever felt. Skin on skin. No one had ever dared to take me unprotected before. I had never dared.

  Not even with my ex fiancé.

  It felt like nothing else on Earth.

  "Daniel what if we-"

  He smiled down at me I realized. He was doing it on purpose. He wanted to impregnate me.

  He was giving me an out. I should have said no. I should have said stop.

  But I didn't.

  My eyes closed as the first of many orgasms washed through me.

  Chapter Ten

  Daniel

  She'd taken it well, all things considered.

  Francesca was still pouting as I watched her pack her bags. She was not going to renege on our agreement. Even the part about no condoms that I'd added during round two.

  That time I'd used a silk tie to restrain her. Instead of the handcuffs. I didn't want her to bruise.

  I liked negotiating this way. It wasn't really fair to use her body against her. But I didn't feel like being fair. I just wanted to win.

  I wanted more than just a fling. I wanted her. And her child.

  It had surprised the hell out of me truth be told. But I was an animal when I was inside her. And I let the animal decide.

  And the animal always got what it wanted.

  I'd ordered us room service, figuring we should eat if we were going to keep up the pace we were functioning at. Plus, I didn't want to sleep until I had her back where I wanted her. All we had to do was shower and change.

  Though I doubted I would be able to stop myself from taking her a third time before we left. Not after the hell of the past week. Worrying that I'd lost her. Wondering if she was alright.

  She was huffing and puffing as she shoved her expensive clothing into her luggage. Her jewelry was in the safe. I watched her bend over and let out a low whistle. That little nightie thing she was wearing barely covered her perfectly grazable ass.

  She spun to glare at me, her hands pull of jewels.

  "Daniel!"

  I smiled at her, shrugging. What did she expect when she had put a spell on me? She was a witch and I was transfixed by her.

  I didn't even mind if I never recovered.

  I was in trouble and I knew it. The crazy thing was, I didn't seem to care. Not even a little.

  Her phone rang again and I stared at it, my mind starting to turn. Had she found another lover already? Was it another man who wanted her as much as I did?

  I felt the animal in me rise up again. I would fight for her if I had to. Gladly.

  "Who keeps calling you?"

  She glanced at me, saying nothing. But I saw worry on her beautiful face. Francesca hated to show weakness. But just for a second, it was there.

  "Who is it 'Cesca?"

  She bustled around the room gracefully, organizing her things. She had unpacked everything. I realized I had almost really lost her.

  "Philipe. And my father."

  "Your ex."

  She looked at me and nodded once. Then she went back to what she was doing as if the matter was closed. She had another thing coming if she thought she was off the hook that easily.

  I stood up, taking her shoulders firmly in my hands.

  "What does he want?"

  She shrugged again. For a woman who always knew her own mind, she was shrugging an awful lot today.

  "Francesca... talk to me. What does he want?"

  "Me."

  I felt a shot of panic go straight to my gut. She didn't sound disgusted. She sounded resigned.

  "And your father?"

  "He wants me to go home and marry Philipe as planned."

  I stared at her. She didn't look surprised that her own father wanted her to marry the man who had cheated on her. Who had so publicly broken her heart.

  "What do you want?"

  She stared up at me, her beautiful eyes searching mine. Then she sighed.

  "My family wants an alliance. Philipe wants my money. And prestige. He would be marrying up. My title is better than his."

  "What about you? What do you want, Countess?"

  She smiled at me crookedly.

  "I just want to be free."

  I watched her packing thoughtfully. My plans involved tying her down, not letting her go. I had just literally done that.

  She hadn't seemed to mind, no matter what she said.

  Room service knocked at the door and I went to get the food, rolling the cart in myself. I didn't want anyone else to see my barefoot Countess in her negligee. Francesca was still packing so I pulled her away and into my lap. I pulled the trays off to reveal steak and fries. She smiled and reached for the silverware but I pushed her hand away.

  I started cutting the food, making her a perfect bite. I held it to her lips. She gave me a look, full of upper class attitude. I grinned. I couldn't help it. I loved that about her.

  "I can feed myself, Daniel."

  "Humor me."

  She rolled her eyes and opened her mouth. I watched as she bit into the steak, her red lips glistening with the oils from the meat. My love was a carnivore, of that I had no doubt.

  Love.

  There it was again. That word I'd been avoiding saying, almost since I met her. Avoiding even thinking it.

  I fed her another bike of steak and picked up a french fry.

  "Ketchup or mayo?"

  "Neither. Vinegar."<
br />
  I grinned at her and splashed some vinegar onto the fries. Then I held one to her lips. I watched as she nibbled the fry daintily. When she got to my finger, she bit it.

  Instant lust shot through my body. I was always on a low simmer around her. All it took was one little bite to send me into overdrive.

  I handed her the fork and let her feed herself. She shrugged and leaned forward on my lap. Perfect.

  Just what I needed. I pulled my pants open and pushed up her slinky little chemise.

  "Daniel!"

  I nuzzled her neck as I rubbed my cock against her.

  "Should I stop?"

  She didn't hesitate. She shook her head 'no'.

  "Keep eating. I'll just... stay here until you are done."

  She moaned as I slowly pushed my way inside her. She was soaking wet and ready for me. I held her hips in place as I settled her back onto my lap.

  "Chew slowly. I don't want you to choke."

  "Hmmm... Aren't you hungry?"

  "Yes."

  I bit her shoulder and then kissed the same spot. I didn't need food. I needed this.

  She laughed breathlessly as we sat there, having the strangest, most erotic dinner ever. I could wait for food. The way she felt on top of me... that I could not wait for.

  I felt her body quiver around me. I laughed. I was pretty sure there was no food involved with tantric sex. I'd read that holding still inside a woman could bring her unbelievable pleasure. I planned to find out.

  Or at least I hoped I'd be able to hold still long enough to find out.

  I'd read up on a lot of things the past few days. Like I said, I had plans.

  "Are you finished?"

  She nodded.

  "Good."

  I pulled her chemise off of her and leaned her back against me. I spread her thighs open on top of me and started to run my hands over her bare flesh, again and again.

  Still, I did not move.

  She was making little mewling sounds as she started to move on top of me. Tiny little circles with her hips... delicious internal ripples massaging my cock inside her. Her back arched as I caressed her breasts, molding them with my hands.

  Francesca bucked in my hands so I held her still, pushing her hips backwards. I wouldn't let either of us move. Not until I knew if the theory was true.

  I needed every weapon I had to make her mine. Unbelievable pleasure was just the tip of the iceberg. I needed to learn how her body responded so I could play it like a virtuoso.

  I was more than happy to spend time practicing...

  She was breathing heavily when I finally reached down and lightly circled my thumb over her clit.

  Then it happened.

  Francesca started to writhe on top of me, her body shaking uncontrollably. Her pussy squeezed me so hard it almost hurt as she came. Her mouth was open but no sound came out. I was almost scared that it was too intense for a moment as she froze on top of me.

  Then she inhaled sharply and the sexiest damn sound I'd heard in my life came out.

  "Unnffff... Daniel... please!"

  I couldn't have waited another second if I tried. It's a good thing I didn't try.

  I started to drive up and into her, my body completely out of my own control. I lost my rhythm almost immediately as I felt my balls tighten.

  One thrust.

  Two.

  Three.

  Light exploded behind my eyes as I experienced the most Earth shattering orgasm of my life. Since the last one. Which had also been with Francesca. Just a few hours ago. Just like all the orgasms I'd had with her.

  The coincidence was not lost on me.

  We sprawled in the chair as our breathing slowed. I wanted to have her again. But I also wanted to get her home where I could keep an eye on her.

  "Come on, let's get cleaned up."

  She nodded, pliant as a doll as I carried her into the enormous marble hotel bathroom.

  I wondered how long I could keep her so agreeable. If I had to make sure she was constantly pleasured to do so. She didn't seem to mind...

  What I didn't tell her was that I planned to keep her locked in my bedroom every night.

  Francesca

  "Let me wash you."

  The husky sound of Daniel's voice sent shivers through me. The man was literally sex on wheels. He was by far the most delicious human being I'd ever met. And I'd met my fair share of movie stars, artists, and musicians.

  Daniel put them all to shame.

  He held me up in the shower, using one hand to pour shower gel onto my skin. He was that strong. He only needed one arm to support my weight.

  At 5'7" I was not a tiny woman.

  I gasped as his hand worked its magic on me, soaping and soothing me. He massaged it into my back and turned me so that the water sluiced over my skin. He did the same to my front, his face a mask of concentration as he soaped up my breasts. We both groaned.

  He grinned at me and sat me on the shower bench. I watched as he lifted one leg at a time, using two hands to massage and clean me. He went all the way down to my cheeks, rubbing between them.

  Once I was clean he propped my ankles over his shoulders and lowered his head, licking me hungrily. I threaded my fingers through his hair as he made a meal of me, tasting and teasing me. Finally, he slid a finger gently inside me and started to flick his tongue against my clit.

  It was too much. I was too sensitive from all our earlier bed play.

  I came hard, thrashing on the bench. He didn't stop until the tremors had faded to nothing. It was explosive.

  He stood and I was face to face with 'it.' I licked my lips, staring hungrily at his cock. It was hard again. It was right in front of me.

  I leaned forward and grabbed it, running my hands over it. Then my tongue. Then I pulled his member into my mouth and started to feast on him, as he had on me.

  He grunted and braced his hands against the shower wall.

  I wanted him again, but I wanted to make him come this way even more. The power of having him this way was it's own potent aphrodisiac. I twisted my head as I slid my mouth up and down his shaft. He tasted salty, even after the shower. That meant he was close.

  One hand reached down to caress the soft skin of his pouch. The other gripped the wide base of his shaft. The water made it easy to slide my fisted hand up and down to meet my mouth as I took him as far as I could go.

  I fluttered my tongue over the tip of his cock with each stroke. I forced my throat to relax, curious how deep I could go. I took him as far as I could but it was only halfway. He was that big.

  That was all it took apparently.

  With a roar he pulled his cock from my mouth and came. I watched the thick ropes of his cum splatter me. Covering my chest and belly.

  He grimaced as he slumped against the shower wall.

  "Jesus, Francesca..."

  I smiled and stood up.

  "Now you have to wash me again."

  He grinned.

  "With pleasure."

  He was washing my front again, holding my back against his chest. He kissed my neck, his voice husky as he murmured love words.

  "I will always take care of you Francesca."

  I closed my eyes, both wanting to hear what he would say next, and afraid. He made me think crazy, impossible thoughts. He made me want to hear words of love. But that wasn't my cowboy's style.

  Or mine. Not anymore. Still I felt a rush of emotion when he whispered in my ear.

  "I want you to be mine. Permanently."

  I couldn't look at him. I knew the words were heartfelt. I also knew I was about to hurt him. But I had to say it.

  "Daniel, I will stay for four weeks. But I don't want to talk about the future. Promise me."

  He was silent as I stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my body.

  I didn't look back.

  Chapter Eleven

  Daniel

  It was another beautiful, perfect spring day. In a series of amazing days. As usual
, we started out the day riding.

  Today we were racing. Francesca was winning. I grinned. She had no idea that I was letting her win.

  Not that she couldn't give me a run for my money. She could. It's just that I preferred riding behind her.

  The view was fucking amazing.

  She was galloping now, determined to beat me. She was so competitive. It was one of her most endearing qualities.

  Her many, many endearing qualities.

  Two of them bouncing deliciously against the saddle as she rode vigorously across the estate.

  The past two weeks had been the best of my life. Hell, even the weeks before that when I had found her and almost lost her had been amazing.

  I'd never felt more alive.

  Who would have thought that a wild eyed European Countess would be the one to unlock my heart after all these years?

  We were opposites on the outside. She was so refined. I was rough and country.

  But we suited each other perfectly.

  She was nearing the path into the woods. We hadn't gone that way yet. It was not good for galloping. I pressed my heels into Black Jack and caught up with her. It wasn't easy.

  Francesca could ride.

  She barely glanced at me, a challenging smile on her face. She dug her heels in and her mare went even faster. She had been holding back too.

  I was impressed at the same time I was terrified.

  "Francesca! Slow down!"

  She didn't hear me. I had no choice but to chase after her. I reached her just as we were entering the woods. The path was too narrow to ride along side her.

  I had to shout.

  "Francesca! Look out!"

  She heard me just in time, ducking to avoid a low hanging branch. I cursed. That was close.

  Too close.

  I was furious that this path wasn't better kept. Then again, only a headstrong idiot would go racing at that speed into an unknown path in the woods. She obviously got the point because she pulled back on her reigns, riding at a much more sedate pace.

  I cursed, slowly bringing my horse to a walk. I followed her as we rode in silence through the woods. By the time we were back at the stables, the horses had cooled down.