This guy was blond and looked like a cocky beach bum. There were beads of water on his perfectly pumped muscles and he had a wicked gleam in his eyes. His hair was wet and tousled, as if he’d just climbed out of the pool and pushed his hand through it.
Get wet at F5 was the caption.
Reid figured some women who saw this ad wouldn’t be thinking of swimming.
“Kyle is the party animal and idea guy. He’s out in San Francisco right now, getting our new west-coast branch ready to launch.” Cassie scrolled through more images. “And here’s Damon.”
Another really pumped naked guy, but this one was stockier and darker. He looked intense, Mediterranean, and resolute like he’d been carved of granite. The caption was Get hard at F5.
Cassie went through the images again, then showed him a shot of Kyle’s ad in what had to be Times Square. The billboard was twenty stories high, her partner smiling down with confidence at the milling crowds.
“Expensive ad space,” he said.
“And worth every penny.”
“Where’s yours?”
“My what?”
“Your ad.”
Cassie appeared to be flustered again, which surprised Reid, and fussed with putting away her phone. “There hasn’t been one yet. It’s either me or Theo next, but I don’t have another slogan. We paid to keep Tyler and Amy’s billboard up longer.” She shrugged. “It is working pretty well.”
“The promise of romance must be compelling,” Reid said and she glanced up at him.
“Then we can rotate through Damon and Kyle’s again, if necessary.”
“You haven’t told me about Tyler yet.”
She winced. “Because it’s awkward.”
Reid laughed despite himself. “No, we’ve done awkward and you telling me about Tyler doesn’t come close.”
She looked up at him. “Will you ever forgive me?”
“I don’t know,” Reid said, but it wasn’t true. He was already forgiving her. That was the terrifying power Cassie had over him, but she didn’t need to know that.
Ever.
Cassie finished her coffee and set the mug down on the counter. Reid indicated the pot but she shook her head. “Just one cup a day for me.” She heaved a sigh. “Okay, Tyler is a money guy, a very sexy beast, as you’ve seen.”
“Not so for me, but I’ll trust your judgment on that.”
He won a fleeting smile for that. “The best part is that he’s principled and has a code of honor I admire. He’s loyal and a good friend. He has four sisters and is protective of all of them.”
“But more so of his wife.”
She nodded. “He’s a complete straight arrow. That tattoo in the ad is a fake. He would never actually have one.”
“Unlike you,” Reid said, brushing a fingertip over her upper arm. He’d noticed the tattoo there but not taken a good look at it.
“You could say that we’re opposites. He’s deliberate. I’m impulsive. He’s all about tradition and obligation and responsibility, while I’m all about sensation and experience and trying new things.”
“Opposites attract?”
She shrugged. “But only one way.” Her voice dropped, becoming softer in her confession. “He was never interested, even though I tried really hard to change his mind. Then he seemed to take one look at Amy and be lost.”
“And you think it isn’t fair.”
“I did, you know. I really did. What did he know about her? What could she give him? She was so quiet and cautious, like a little mouse you could overlook. Although she has blossomed, I have to say.” She shook her head. “They do both read a lot. I imagine them on a Saturday night in his penthouse at F5, each curled up with a good book.” She made a face and Reid smiled. “But then, sometimes, they’re so hot together that I think they’ll set the place on fire.” There was a wistfulness in her tone that Reid could understand.
“So, they’ve found something good. Be happy for him.”
“I can’t believe it’ll last,” she confessed, then clapped a hand over her mouth. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“That makes two things you shouldn’t have said today and it’s early yet. Could be quite a day.”
Cassie laughed and leaned against him, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at him. “You do look a little bit like him, you know. Kind of the same height and build. Green eyes. But your tattoo is real. And you look a lot more dangerous than Tyler does.”
There was an invitation in her eyes, a suggestion that they continue where they had left off, but Reid wasn’t ready to go there yet.
“Then you should have been able to tell the difference,” he said lightly. He tapped his watch. “I’ve got to get to work. My boss is a real dick.”
“No, I don’t think he is,” Cassie said softly, her eyes glowing in a way that melted Reid’s determination to resist her. “I think your boss is a really nice guy, and nicer to me than I deserve.” She stretched up then and touched her lips tentatively to his.
It was just as Reid had expected.
Her touch completely undid him.
Her lips were so soft. Her kiss was so sweet. Reid had no choice but to prove to Cassie that he wasn’t nearly as nice a guy as she wanted to believe.
He told himself that he was just making the distinction clear.
Reid moved faster this time, as if he were hungry—no, as if he was starving. Cassie couldn’t blame him. She’d been so awful to cheat him in the final moment of his release. She would do anything to make it up to him.
Anything.
But his need was exciting in a way. It was so raw. There were no kid gloves this time, no seduction, and Cassie found it really hot. She felt as if she was seeing the truth of Reid, as if it was honest this time in a way it hadn’t been the first time.
She didn’t want him to stop.
“Anything you want,” she whispered in his ear, then slid her teeth along it. “Any way you want.”
“You don’t know what you’re offering,” he muttered, his voice rough.
“I know what I want.” She pulled back and met his gaze. “You.”
“No, you don’t. You want a nicer version of me.”
“No.” Cassie shook her head and nipped at his bottom lip with her teeth. “I want you exactly the way you are. Show me, Mr. Honesty.”
Reid froze for a moment, taut, then his eyes blazed green fire. “Then look me in the eye this time,” he growled. “And call my name when you come.”
Cassie would have agreed but he captured her mouth beneath his, backing her into the counter as he claimed her mouth. His kiss was rough and hard, and thrilling because it gave her a taste of how much he wanted her.
Had anyone ever wanted her that much?
Cassie found herself matching his moves, nipping at him with her teeth, demanding more and surrendering everything. She found herself on the counter, his hands beneath her thighs, then her butt was bare on the cold marble. He dragged his mouth from hers, their breathing ragged. “Condom,” he whispered.
“I’ll get it,” she said and jumped off the counter. “Don’t move, but be naked when I get back.”
“Hurry,” he commanded.
Cassie ran, knowing he watched her bare butt. She tugged off her hoodie and her tank top and kicked off her shoes, leaving a trail on the way back to the bedroom. She grabbed a pair of condoms from the nightstand, not bothering to close the drawer, and raced back to the kitchen. Reid was naked and watching for her, like a god expecting his due. His clothes were cast on the floor around him. She dropped to her knees before him and smoothed on the condom, caressing him with her hands and brushing her fingertips over his hard thighs. He made a little growl and scooped her up, putting her back on the counter. His fingers moved between her own thighs, but Cassie wrapped her legs around him.
“I’m wet,” she said. “I’m ready for you.” She smiled. “And I owe you two orgasms now.”
Reid caught his breath and shook a little as he moved closer.
Even in his desire, he moved slowly, easing his strength into her. Cassie tipped her head back and sighed with satisfaction, then wrapped herself around him when he was fully inside her. “You’re huge, Reid, and I like that.” She rolled her hips and he caught his breath, then bent to kiss her again. He gripped her butt, his fingers spread wide as he lifted her against himself and he moved with surety. He rubbed against her, even without the cock ring, and Cassie felt her own desire rising one more time.
“Tell me what you want, Reid,” she whispered when she had the chance.
“I told you already.”
“Tell me more.”
“Tell me about the classes you teach.”
Cassie smiled. “Kyle calls me Domme Barbie. I dress all in black latex with those boots and have a whip.”
“I could go for the latex.” He ran a hand over her.
“I know you like the boots.”
He looked her in the eye. “Maybe next time you should just wear them.”
Cassie was excited by the suggestion, but tried to stick to the topic at hand. “I teach them to tie knots safely, how to use a safe word, how to explore each other’s fantasies.”
“And what’s your fantasy, Cassie?” Reid’s voice was a low growl.
She looked at him and shivered deep inside. She taught the games but had never played them herself. She’d never trusted anyone enough.
Maybe it was time.
“Right now, it’s riding you,” she whispered, then kissed his neck and his ear. “Right now, it’s feeling you come. I want you to collect your due, Reid.” She kissed him slowly, open-mouthed and hungry. “I want you to forgive me. Whatever it takes.”
“Whatever it takes?”
She pulled back to meet his gaze. “Whatever it takes.”
“The third time might be the charm.”
“You’re on. I’m yours. Take all that I have, Reid Jackson.”
His eyes flashed and he moved quickly, plunging deep and rubbing himself against her. Cassie came suddenly, gasping in surprise and gripping his shoulders as she shuddered in release. Reid made a little purr of satisfaction then came himself, burying himself inside her and shaking with the force of his orgasm. He leaned his forehead on her shoulder as he caught his breath, but didn’t drop her. He didn’t even loosen his grip.
Cassie kissed his temple. “In the shower,” she murmured. “From behind, against the wall.”
He pulled back, his gaze simmering. “Caveman-style first, over that leather chair. I’ve always thought it would be the perfect height.”
She sighed with mock regret. “Wish I had my boots.”
His grin was quick. “I’ll imagine you have them.”
Cassie understood his implication. They’d do it three times this morning, evening the score, and she wouldn’t be back in his house again. It was just sex, which was what she’d been sure she wanted, but she found herself disappointed.
She liked Reid. She liked talking to him, as well as having sex with him.
But there was no time to think about that. She jumped down from the counter and washed him up, teasing him as she replaced the condom, impressed by how quickly he rose to the occasion again. He had a length of black ribbon when she looked up, although she didn’t know where he’d gotten it, and a devilish grin. He arched a brow. “Want to practice what you teach?”
Cassie felt her mouth open but no sound came out. She looked between Reid and the chair, feeling a rise of panic. She never let anyone do that to her.
She had a good reason.
“Do you?” she managed to say, stalling for time.
“It seems to be a morning for firsts.” He tossed the coil of ribbon and caught it. “Show me how to make safe knots, DB.”
He was teasing. It was Reid. He didn’t know that she’d never let anyone tie her up before. He didn’t know it was a hot button for her to be powerless. But it was also a principle with Cassie to reclaim everything that had been stolen from her. The confidence to play games with a trustworthy partner was one of those things.
She’d reclaim it now.
“Well, ribbon is a bad choice, unless you make a slip knot.” Cassie showed him and he echoed her gestures, then bent to give her a slow kiss.
He pulled back to study her when she was simmering with desire all over again. “You can say no,” he said, as if he’d noticed her trepidation.
“I could, but I won’t.” She smiled. “It’s actually a first for me, too.”
“Understanding the appeal could help with your classes.” He moved the satin ribbon across her nipple slowly and the peak tightened at the touch.
Cassie swallowed. “It could. In fact, it would only be responsible as a teacher to explore the possibilities.”
“Responsible.” Reid seemed to find that funny. His eyes were twinkling as he unfurled a length of ribbon. It was wide and black, satin. He took a pair of scissors out of the drawer and cut off a piece that was about a yard long. “Enough, DB?”
“Perfect,” Cassie said, her voice husky.
He cut three more, then left the scissors and the rest of the ribbon on the counter. He nodded and Cassie walked ahead of him to the chair in question. It was a big padded chair, like a club chair, upholstered in dark brown leather. She stood behind it and parted her legs, so that one ankle was behind each leg of the chair.
“Trust me?” he asked, and she nodded.
“Yes,” she said, because it was true. Her heart was racing and she felt daring, but she was also really aroused.
“Like this?” Reid asked after he had wrapped the ribbon smoothly around her ankle. Cassie nodded, unable to speak. She couldn’t even take a breath. He bound her right ankle to the chair. It was a slip knot, but a tight one. Cassie could see that he just had to tug on the one end of ribbon to release her. She tried to move her foot but it was secured there.
He straightened beside her, sliding his hand up the length of her and cupping her breast. “You like this,” he murmured, playing with her nipple and looking down into her eyes.
“Actually, I do.”
He stole a kiss, another of those slow smoldering ones.
“So do you,” she said, running her fingertips over his erection.
“I like that you like it,” he said, sounding more like Tyler than she might have expected. He lifted a brow. “The other one?”
Cassie nodded, her throat tight. “Yes, please.”
Reid repeated his moves, tying another secure slip knot and binding Cassie’s ankle to the chair. The ribbon was silky against her skin and stronger than she might have expected. She struggled against the bonds instinctively, panicking a little when she couldn’t free herself. Reid immediately pulled the end of the ribbon to release one ankle and she caught her breath.
“Tie it again,” she urged. “I want to know.”
“It makes you vulnerable.”
“But I trust you.”
Their gazes locked and held for a potent moment, then Reid bent to refasten her ankle again. This time she didn’t struggle. She welcomed the restriction and the thrill it sent through her. Before Reid could ask, she bent over the chair, feeling the cool leather against her belly and reached for the front of the chair arms.
“Sure?” he asked again.
“Make me your captive,” she said. “Please, Reid.”
A moment later, she was tied down, stretched taut over the chair. Her feet even pulled slightly off the floor so that she was on her toes, and she liked that a lot. She wriggled, savoring her own powerlessness, and Reid ran a hand over her.
“Okay?” he asked, his voice seeming lower again. She knew that was a sign that he was aroused.
“Perfect.”
“I agree,” he growled. “You look great.”
Cassie arched her back as much as she could and wiggled her butt. She heard Reid inhale. “Then do something about it already,” she said. “I’m so wet I can’t stand it.”
His fingers slid over her slick labia, and she almost pur
red when he caressed her clitoris. “You are wet,” he agreed, but when she thought he would take her from behind, he crouched down instead. She felt the heat of his mouth close over her and his tongue, his wicked, wicked tongue, nearly sent her to the moon. In a heartbeat, Cassie was thrashing in her bonds, unable to escape the pleasure Reid was determined to give. She felt his hands on her, felt his teeth graze her, felt both captive and treasured in a way she wouldn’t soon forget. He teased her and touched her, almost but not quite driving her over the edge. She thought she was going to explode. She thought her heart would burst. She wriggled and rocked and begged him for mercy, but he only tormented her more. Time stretched out to impossible lengths. She was suspended. She was captive. She was out of control.
She was subject to Reid’s whims.
And because she had agreed to it, because she trusted him, it was thrilling.
When she capitulated, surrendering the last vestige of her fight, a delicious heat flooded through her. She began to shudder in her release. She felt Reid stand behind her, the press of his thighs against the back of her own, the grip of his hands on her hips, and she moaned as he filled her. He moved and she rocked against him, welcoming him, wanting him, knowing that no man had ever given her such satisfaction before.
And when she came, his name was torn from her lips like a benediction and a salute, his name blending into a cry of pleasure that went on and on, echoing through the house just before his own shout of release.
“You’re going to kill me, Reid,” she whispered, when they were collapsed against the chair, panting together.
“But what a way to go,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple.
Cassie had time to laugh then he’d tugged the ribbons free. He caught her up in his arms and carried her to the washroom, and she didn’t miss the triumphant glint in his eyes.
And all she could think was that the bad boy of Montrose River had definitely been worth waiting for.
Six
The third time in the shower was slow and sweet. Reid was glad, because he’d thought he wouldn’t be ready again so quickly. He’d never had so many repeat performances in such rapid succession, but maybe he’d just been waiting for the sweet heat that was Cassie. There was something irresistible about her, that was for sure.
Some Guys Have All the Luck Page 10
