by Anne Rainey
A fever only she could cool. He knew that to be a fact, because he’d tried to date other women. None were Gracie. None had her backbone, her green eyes, her lush body.
He bent his lips to her pulse and licked the length of her protruding vein. “You want me, huh? You trust me with your body, baby?” Her jerky nod gave him exactly what he needed, her total acceptance.
“Mmm, so sweet. I want more of you too. So much more. I want to know al your hot little buttons. The ones that cause your blood to pound through your veins and have you quivering with need. I want you begging and wriggling beneath me . . . for me.”
He bent and tasted her succulent, ivory neck. It cal ed to something primitive in him, something even he didn’t recognize. He licked her soft skin and suckled, luxuriating in the little sounds coming from Gracie’s pouty little mouth. Soft whimpers that he wanted to turn into cries of satisfaction. When he bit her lightly, branding her, Gracie lifted her hand to the back of his head, holding him in place, as if loath to let the moment end. Wade lifted up, forcing her to drop her hand, and stared down at her pliant body. Damn, she looked good enough to eat. “You may open your eyes now, sweet angel.”
Gracie let her lids drift open, her body burning with need. When she saw the raw hunger in Wade’s dark gaze, she knew it was the same for him. She wanted . . . Wade. His kisses, his caresses, his demands. Like a child being given a bite of a cookie, it wasn’t enough. “The things you do to me, the way you make me feel . . . It’s never been this way for me before.”
“Careful, baby. I’m only a man. Words like those could get you more than you ever bargained for.”
“What does that mean?”
He smiled and fingered the neckline of her nightgown. “Ah, there’s that sweet touch of innocence I told you about before.”
“You make me sound like a virgin. I have been with other men, Wade.” Unable to help herself, Gracie reached out and clutched his forearm.
His rough, tan skin and powerful muscles had captured her attention too many times to count. She’d only dreamed of touching, stroking. Now that she had him so close, she wasn’t about to waste even a second.
“Have you ever been with a man who was into bondage? Voyeurism? Have you ever played the submissive for a dom?”
The images his words invoked had her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She couldn’t speak, could only shake her head, hoping it was enough.
“That’s sort of what I thought. The things I like to do with a woman, the things I want to do with you, they’re very specific, Gracie.”
“You want to tie me up?” Why did the idea of being at Wade’s mercy intrigue her so? She should be scandalized. Instead her pussy flooded with liquid heat.
“We’l leave my wants for another day.” The finger that had been playing with her neckline dipped beneath. The rough texture of his skin against hers had her head spinning. “Right now, the only thing that matters is you,” he whispered. “I want to see this pretty body, Gracie. May I?”
“Y-Yes.”
Wade removed his hand and stood. He crooked his finger at her and growled, “Come here.”
Gracie tossed the blankets aside and brought her legs to the edge of the bed. As her feet touched the floor, Wade held out a hand. She placed her palm in his and let him pul her up. He raised her hand to his lips and left a soft kiss on her knuckles, before releasing her and stepping closer. He clutched fistfuls of her gown and started to tug upward. Blood rushed through Gracie’s veins as she realized he would be looking at her for the first time. Her too plump body, the bruises from the crash, it’d al be on display for him.
And so would the piercings.
Damn.
When he had the material up around her waist, she stopped him with her uninjured hand against his chest. “Wait.” He quirked a brow at her, clearly puzzled by the sudden change. “There’s something you should know first.”
His eyes softened. “You can tel me anything, baby.”
“I have . . .” Her throat went dry. She swal owed and tried again. “What I mean to say is . . .” Anxiety had her stal ing out. Damn, this shouldn’t be so difficult!
Wade smiled, his tone playful when he said, “Sometimes it’s easier to just blurt it out. Like a bandage, just rip it off, Gracie.”
“Piercings,” she muttered. “I have piercings.”
Wade’s smile fel flat. “You have pierced ears? That’s the big confession?”
“They aren’t in my ears.”
His gaze shot to her breasts and lingered. If it were at al possible her face heated even more. At this rate they’d have to cal the fire department just to put out the blaze in her damn cheeks.
“You had your nipples pierced?” Wade’s voice sounded as if he’d swal owed sandpaper.
“Years ago. I went through a rebel phase, I guess.” She took a deep breath before asking, “Do you think it’s strange?”
He licked his lips, his gaze stil on her chest. As he started to tug her gown up, Gracie grasped one large hand in her own and halted his movements. His head snapped up, brown eyes, now nearly black, locked onto hers. “Let me see.”
The quiet demand nearly did her in, but she wasn’t budging. Not until she had an answer to her question. “You didn’t answer me.”
He licked his lips, and Gracie found herself watching, wishing, so very desperate to feel that sensual lick between her thighs. “No,” he murmured, “I don’t think it’s strange. I think I’m about to come in my jeans right now. I think if I don’t see you I’m going to die. I think my mouth is watering for a taste of you.”
Gracie hadn’t real y expected Wade to be anything less than total y honest. It just wasn’t his way. Stil , the heat behind his statement scorched her and sent her into another realm. She wasn’t terribly sure she was ready to deal with it. Then again, hadn’t she just told the man that she was tired of not taking what she wanted? She had him in her bedroom, undressing her; this was her chance.
Gracie dropped her hand and held her breath. “O-Okay then.”
Within seconds Wade had the gown over her head, the cast on her wrist barely slowing him down. After he let the material fal to the floor in a white heap, he went to work on her panties. He didn’t stop until she stood before him naked. When he went back to staring at her breasts, licking his lips, Gracie smiled. Unless she was mistaken, Wade liked what he saw. The knowledge gave her the bravado to make a demand of her own.
“Undress, Wade. I want to see you too.”
“In time, baby. First, a kiss.”
Then he dipped his head and licked her nipple. Gracie grasped onto his head, tunneling her fingers into his thick, dark hair, and gave herself up to the man she’d only made love to in her dreams.
8
Wade couldn’t believe the shy, headstrong woman with the buttoned up blouses had nipple piercings. Christ almighty. He cupped her breasts in both palms, squeezing the bountiful orbs gently before swiping his tongue over the little ring piercing one hard nipple. Enthral ed by the way it shimmered in the light coming in from the hal way, he growled, “You have magnificent breasts, Gracie. Such a luscious handful. I could lick you for hours.”
Large pink areolas centered by hard, berry nipples beckoned Wade to suck. Only one thing held him back. The three-inch-long mark marring the skin between her breasts and the bruises that covered her shoulders and torso. Anger at her stalker boiled to the surface and threatened to spoil what should be a sweet, beautiful moment between them. He leaned in and kissed the long mark, letting his lips linger a few seconds before lifting his head. “You should be in bed, resting. I should be horsewhipped for ever letting things get this far.”
Her palm came to rest over his heart; the tender smile she gave him warmed him clear to his soul. “The bruises wil fade. The mark from the seat belt wil fade. This moment, right now, it’l stay with me forever, Wade. Please, don’t let him take it from me.”
With only a few words from Gracie, Wade’s strength scattered. It u
nsettled him to know she could so easily work him. Worse yet, she didn’t even seem to be aware of the power she wielded. “I won’t have you in pain,” he gritted out. “Before we go forward I want your word that you’l do what I say. Everything I say. Are we clear, sweetheart?”
She grinned, and the playfulness of it burned a path straight to his groin. “You’re the boss.”
“Hmm, little temptress.” With one hand he flicked and toyed with her pretty nipple, then wrapped his lips around the other, taking as much of the tender flesh into his mouth as he could. His name was a plea on her lips as she mashed her breast against his face, begging for more.
Wade was a heartbeat away from fal ing to his knees. His legs had turned to rubber as soon as she’d uttered the words “nipple piercings.” It was a humbling thing for a man who thought he’d seen it al , done it al . When it came to sex, he’d experienced nearly everything there was to experience. So why had he been ready to explode at the sight of Gracie’s creamy tits? Simple, because they belonged to the woman who’d captured his attention that first day she came to work for Cherry. One thing was certain. It would take more than a few nights to get the woman out of his system.
He didn’t like the thought.
He was an independent man. He didn’t relish the idea of needing any one particular woman. Variety was the spice of life. Or it had been, before he’d seen Gracie Baron in the buff. Now, Wade didn’t give a damn about variety. He just wanted Gracie.
Crouching low in front of her, Wade slipped one arm behind her knees and the other beneath her neck, then lifted her, cradling her against his chest. Damn, she felt right there. She felt good. He looked down at her bed and grinned. “I like the big bed, baby. I’m going to need plenty of room for what I have in mind for you tonight.”
Gracie curled against him, not saying a word. Her acceptance was like tossing gasoline on a live flame. She was giving him her complete trust, and he’d see to it that she didn’t live to regret it. Wade laid her gently in the center of the bed. As he turned on the little lamp on her bedside table, drenching the room in a soft glow, Gracie groaned. “I’d rather have the light off.”
He sat down next to her. “You promised to do as I say, baby.”
“And you want the light on?”
“Mhmm, I want to see your pretty body.” Her skin was the gentlest shade of ivory. So delicate, so easily marred. He’d need to be careful or risk adding to her bruises. And that he would never do. “Every inch of you is beautiful, Gracie.”
“You don’t have to say that, you know.”
“You mean compliment you?” She nodded, the blush that stole over her cheeks turning his heart to mush. “It’s true. From the curve of your hips, to these perfectly pierced breasts.” He flicked one nipple, emphasizing his point, and smiled when she sucked in a breath. “Your nipples are the exact pink shade of bubble gum. It makes me want to pop them both into my mouth.”
He dipped his head and licked at the candied confection, savoring the sweet taste of her. This moment would be etched in his brain forever.
He suckled on her hardened nipple, leisurely flicking his tongue back and forth over the ring, creating a maelstrom of need inside them both.
Gracie arched upward, thrusting her flesh into his voracious mouth even farther. When he gently bit down, he was forced to wrap an arm around her to keep her from wiggling and possibly hurting herself. When he released her breast, Gracie pleaded for more. He switched his attention to her other breast, taking his time, savoring the unique flavor of his little red-haired angel.
When he lifted away, slowly releasing his hold on her, Gracie’s eyes were closed. His cock swel ed another inch at the sight of her. Wet nipples, glistening from his ministrations, her body splayed out for his pleasure.
“Open your eyes for me, sweetheart.” Slowly, her lashes fluttered open. Green fire touched him everywhere at once. He’d intended to bring her pleasure, to keep his damn pants zipped and careful y see to her needs, saving his own for when she was back in fighting form. Seeing Gracie open and aroused had the ability to kick his good intentions right out the window.
“Make love to me, Wade.”
And then she just had to go and say that.
He took a few seconds to rebuild the cage around his libido before replying, “When we make love, it’s going to be hard, rough, and plentiful.
You’re too bruised for al the things I want to do with you, sweetheart.”
Her eyes widened. “But I thought—”
He placed a finger against her lips. “Do you trust me, Gracie?”
She nodded as if too overwhelmed to speak. He understood the feeling wel . “Then open your legs for me,” he urged. “Invite me in, baby.” At first he was afraid she’d balk, too modest and innocent to expose herself so blatantly, but she only hesitated for a split second before moving her legs apart. “Wider,” he ordered, unable to keep the emotion out of his voice. She shyly spread herself for him. “Good girl.” Final y he could see the satiny softness of her sex. Sweet red curls covered a treasure he desperately wanted to plunder. Christ, he’d never wanted a woman the way he wanted Gracie. She made him feel things, even though she was simply lying there, staring up at him with a trusting smile that curved her pouty lips.
Wade continued to take in the delectable beauty. Gracie had a neatly trimmed bikini line, and her distended clitoris and plump nether lips were total y exposed to his view. He licked his lips, imagining her flavor on his tongue, swal owing her juices as she rode out a wild climax. “If I don’t get a taste of some of that honey I’l surely die, sweet baby.”
“We certainly wouldn’t want that.”
“Damn straight.” Wade moved between her supple thighs, then lowered his head and licked her from her hot little clit on down her dewy slit.
When he sank his tongue between the delicate folds of her pussy lips, Gracie’s legs started to close. Wade clutched onto her thighs and held her firmly in place. “Don’t move.” The whispered command seemed to do the trick. Gracie relaxed, watching him as if half afraid he’d disappear. The instant her tangy flavor hit his taste buds, he’d known nothing short of a natural disaster could drag him away. He’d never sampled anything sweeter than Gracie’s arousal. He inhaled her womanly scent, sucked her clit in between his teeth, and nibbled. He felt her hand against the back of his head, clutching and holding him against her. When his tongue thrust between her folds, she lost it completely and pushed against his face, undulating as he tongue-fucked her. A few more licks to her clit and she burst wide, screaming and straining against the unyielding hold his hands had on her soft thighs. He stared as she became lost in the age-old instinct to hold on to the delirious feelings of orgasm for as long as humanly possible.
Wade lifted his head and looked at the woman who was quickly stealing his sanity. She’d come too fast. “How long has it been for you, sweetheart?”
At once the glow in her cheeks disappeared, and her lax muscles stiffened. “Excuse me?”
Wade moved over her, bracing himself on his hands on either side of her head, careful not to press against her sore body. “Don’t play. You know what I’m asking. How long since your last orgasm?”
She frowned up at him. “It’s rude to ask that, especial y after what you just did.”
He dipped his head and kissed her, lingering long enough to feel her lips opening for him, letting him into the hot cavern of her mouth. Wade slipped his tongue inside and tasted the fresh flavor of her toothpaste and the spicy taste of woman. He pul ed back an inch and whispered,
“Answer me, sweetheart. How long?”
“Several months,” she said, her breath coming in fast pants.
“Then you should get double for having to wait so long.” He traveled kisses down her body, taking his time to give each bruise special attention. When his lips encountered the tender bud of her nipple, he sucked the little treat into his mouth. She started to arch into him, as if needing more, but Wade wouldn’t let her, to
o attuned to her pain.
“Stay put before you hurt yourself.”
She bit her lip, as if wanting to protest, but final y she nodded. Knowing how badly she wanted to go against him, though she was stil obeying his command, sent blood rushing to his cock. Damn, she had no idea how much her acquiescence pleased him. Her submission wouldn’t go unrewarded.
Wade resumed his sensual torment, licking and biting one turgid nipple, before switching to her other beautiful tit. He used his hands to plump them together and nuzzle his face into her cleavage. Languorously, Wade made his way down her body, lapping and nibbling at her rib cage until he reached her bel y where he let his tongue dip into her little button. She pleaded with him, saying his name over and over. He final y caved.
Pushing her legs wide, he dipped his tongue into her hot opening. At the first contact, Gracie’s good hand was in his hair, grasping handfuls and pushing his face against her. He sucked her sweet little clit into his mouth and flicked it with his tongue, before lapping at the nectar of her arousal. Gracie tried to move, as if to force his tongue deeper, trying to rush him to the finish line. Wade wouldn’t be hurried; he was too aware of her injuries to al ow her any leeway. He would take her there gently, or not at al .
Holding her stil , Wade let his tongue tease the swol en lips of her cunt, his bal s drawing up tight at the feel of her softest, most tender part so close to his cock. Hel , she might as wel be wearing a chastity belt. He could fil her in an instant, true, and it’d be exactly what they both wanted, needed. But he would have her healed before letting that particular beast out of the cage. His fantasies were anything but tame, and he had a feeling Gracie would bring out the more savage side of his nature the instant his cock sank deep.
Besides, having his face buried in Gracie’s swol en, wet pussy wasn’t exactly a hardship. In fact, he was pretty sure he could lick her al night long and not get bored.
“Watch me,” he demanded, his voice hoarse from pent-up desire. Her gaze shot to his, and he could see from her languorous expression that she was close. He placed his lips against her clit and kissed the swol en and sensitive bit of flesh. A primitive growl reverberated inside his chest at the way her body started to move against his face. He parted her with his fingers and sank his tongue deep into her dewy center once more.
