“What makes you think it’s a woman that has me distracted?”
“Oh, please.” She waved a hand through the air. “You have a one-track mind. A female is the only thing that could get your focus off business. Do I need to repeat myself?”
“She’s my ex-sister-in-law.”
“Ooh, that’s intriguing.”
“I think I like the business side of you better than the busybody one,” he said lightly. He didn’t mind the questions, because he needed someone to talk to. A friend who would listen and be gone the next day seemed like the perfect solution.
She grinned and took a sip of champagne. “I want details.”
She already knew about his brother’s death, so he filled her in on the more recent events, Maxie’s financial troubles, and how she was now living with him. He even dropped in information about his childhood crush and his brother’s need to best him at every turn.
“He even told Maxie we were engaged in order to get her to stop thinking about me,” he admitted.
Arielle burst out laughing. “Oh my God. We could never be together. We’d kill each other in the space of one night. You’re handsome, but your constant business talk drives me insane.”
“Maxie and I never talk business.” And he enjoyed his time with her.
“Does it bother you? That you don’t have that in common?” Arielle asked.
He shook his head. “It’s a nice break from the monotony of my life and how my brain works on a regular basis.”
“As they say, opposites attract. So let me ask you something. Why are you here with me and not home with her?”
Lucas grinned, the answer coming easily. “Good question. You ready to get out of here?”
She rolled her eyes. “I find these events as tedious as you do. Let’s go.”
He was out of his seat in an instant, ready to head home to Maxie.
* * *
Maxie couldn’t read. She couldn’t concentrate on TV. And she couldn’t sleep. All she could think about was Lucas on a business date with the beautiful Arielle Costas. And if she’d been jealous years before, tonight she was sick to her stomach. Even though she’d pushed him away, she didn’t want him with anyone else.
God, what was wrong with her? She had no right to keep Lucas from being friends with another woman. She had even less right to prevent him from dating someone.
She’d already eaten too much of her favorite mint chocolate chip ice cream and rose, walked to the kitchen, and threw out the container.
As she headed back to her room, she pondered her reasons for not wanting to get involved with Lucas. She’d recently recovered from a severe bout of postpartum depression, was living with him because she had no savings, and wanted to stand on her own. Bad timing, she’d thought the other day. But for years, Keith had dictated the timing. He’d lied and schemed to keep them apart.
Lucas was different. He’d apologized for pulling strings to get her a job interview, and he’d promised to respect her need for independence. So what was holding her back? For the first time in her adult life, she was answering only to herself. Why couldn’t she indulge in something she’d wanted for what seemed like forever?
She bit down on her lower lip and walked over to the drawer where she’d put her nightclothes and reached into the back, pulling out the black teddy she’d purchased almost right after she’d gotten pregnant. Sex was usually an unsatisfying quickie for her but obviously not for her husband. She hadn’t known she was pregnant when she’d bought the lingerie. She’d just wanted things to get better.
She’d purchased the nightie and hoped to put it on after Keith came home. But he’d walked into the house drunk, and she’d smelled perfume on his clothes. Needless to say, the lingerie still had tags on it. That had been the beginning of the end, the pregnancy a surprise but one she’d cherished.
She’d always wanted to be a mother… at least back then. Before she experienced the utter pain and devastation of loss. Now she just wanted to live her life and avoid hurt wherever possible.
She wanted to be happy. She deserved that after all she’d been through, and really, who was her being with Lucas hurting? She held up the sexy teddy and her heart beat harder inside her chest. Did she have the nerve to wear it and approach Lucas? Assuming he came home alone, his date just friendship as he’d claimed. One thing she knew for sure, she couldn’t go on torturing herself like this.
She headed for her bathroom, showered with her favorite strawberry-scented wash, shaved, and followed up with creamy lotion to moisturize her skin. She dried her hair, letting it fall around her shoulders.
Then she climbed into bed and waited for Lucas to come home.
* * *
Lucas was disappointed to find the lights out when he walked into the apartment. He’d been hoping Maxie would still be awake and watching television. Waiting for him? He wouldn’t be that presumptuous, but nothing wrong with wishful thinking.
He tossed his keys into the holder on his way to his room, pausing outside Maxie’s closed door. He stood, listening to the quiet in the apartment and the sound of his own breath, as he strained to hear any noises inside.
He tipped his head against the door, imagining her asleep in her bed, blonde hair tousled over the sheets, pale skin lit by the moonlight from the window.
Shit. He really had it bad.
Of course, he’d been wanting her his entire life.
He lifted his head and stepped back, about to go to his room, when her door opened, and his breath caught in his throat. She stood before him in a black teddy, her breasts full and plump over the lace trim, the V between them cut deep, revealing her enticing cleavage. His gaze traveled lower, his mouth watering at the sight of the see-through material molding to her waist and full hips.
“You’re home early,” she said, meeting his gaze.
“Those things bore me.”
“The company too?” she asked, obviously referring to Arielle.
He raised one shoulder. “We’d both done enough of the meet-and-greet. I couldn’t wait to get home.” His voice dropped an octave, his meaning clear. He hoped. He wanted to get back here. To her.
He let his stare roam over her gorgeous body silhouetted in the doorframe. “Where are your long-sleeve pajamas?” he asked.
“They weren’t suitable for my needs.” She stepped closer, her meaning clear.
His heart began to pound harder in his chest. Yes, she was coming on to him, but she was also taking a different stand than she had when she’d backed off a few weeks ago. He needed her to be sure.
Then again, she was greeting him in lace lingerie. Did he really need any more obvious indication than that?
He slid his finger beneath the thin strap holding up the garment and traced the indentation in her flesh. “So this is for me?”
She managed a breathy nod. “I’ve been waiting for you to get home.”
“Why the change of heart?” he asked.
She slid her tongue across her glistening lips. “I want you, Lucas. I always have. I decided it’s our time.”
He couldn’t argue with that logic. Instead he acted. He lifted her into his arms and headed for his bedroom, aware he was one step closer to his ultimate dream.
* * *
Maxie wrapped her arms around Lucas for the walk to his room, her heart soaring, desire racing through her. With every step he took, her barely clad body molded enticingly against his. Her nipples abraded against the lapels of his jacket, and her sex rubbed against his hard erection. Sparks of need rushed over her, making her want more.
She threaded her fingers through his hair and inhaled his delicious masculine scent while rubbing her pussy against his cock.
“Slow, or I’m going to explode,” he said, just as he pushed through his door and walked them into the darkened room.
He laid her down on the bed, then reached for the lamp on the nightstand. “I want to see you naked,” he said gruffly.
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment but she und
erstood. “I want to see you too.”
“Your wish is my command.” He unhooked the bow tie, tossing the black strap onto the floor.
His next move was to undo the cuffs. Then he attacked his shirt, one button at a time, until he reached the bottom, shrugging off the shoulders and adding it to the pile of clothes at his feet.
The man worked out hard, because the muscles on his arms and abs were huge, and her fingers itched to touch and squeeze each one. His hands went to his waist and her mouth went dry. And when he lowered his pants, removing his briefs along with them, she lost any moisture in her mouth that remained.
He was huge and erect. His cock jutted out thick and long, and she was overwhelmed with the thought that soon he’d be inside her.
She squirmed, growing slick between her thighs, the bottom of the teddy damp. “My wish has been granted,” she murmured. “And exceeded.”
“Glad to hear it. Because so has mine.” He grinned and joined her on the bed, the mattress dipping with his muscle and weight.
He leaned down and brushed a kiss over her shoulder, and she trembled, her nipples hardening even more. And as his hard erection brushed against her leg, a wave of longing washed over her.
“We need to get you naked too.” He reached between her thighs and released the snaps holding her teddy together, revealing her sex for his view.
He sucked in a deep breath and leaned down, pressing a kiss against her pussy. She trembled as his warm breath fanned her slick folds.
“You smell as good as you look,” he said, his eyes gleaming with desire.
“Oh my God, Lucas. You really do say what you think,” she said, blushing at his frank words.
“No reason not to. Now, this outfit is sexy as fuck, but it’s time to get you out of it.”
She wriggled and he pulled the material up and over her head, freeing her, leaving her naked.
He groaned, his hot, sexy body coming down on hers. “Now this is heaven.” He braced himself over her, gliding his cock over her clit.
Sparks of arousal shot through her veins, and she shuddered beneath him. “I didn’t know you were a tease,” she said, running a hand over his clean-shaven jaw.
“Well, you do now.” He reached down and cupped her breast in his hand, kneading the flesh while brushing his thumb back and forth over her distended nipple.
The sensation shot straight to her sex, and her hips lifted off the bed of their own volition. He moved his hand to the other breast, fondling her flesh. But he wasn’t finished. He dipped his head and caught the original nipple between his teeth. He tugged on the tight bud, licked where he’d lightly bitten, then suckled her nipple hard between his lips.
She whimpered with need, slipping her hand between her legs and sliding her finger over her clit, seeking relief.
A hard slap to her thigh followed. She let out a surprised squeak, and she met Lucas’ serious stare.
“Do you really think I waited this long so you could get yourself off?” he asked with a cocky, amused grin.
She removed her hand, surprised she now felt the sting on her thigh directly on her clit.
“I guess not. By all means, take over.” She waited for him to ease the need growing between her thighs, but instead he continued to play with her breasts, taking his time and arousing her with every lick, lap, and taste.
The weight of his cock grew heavy against her thigh, and she would have reached for him, but his erection was trapped between them, leaving her no choice but to focus on her own desire.
He played with her breasts, teaching her how sensitive she was there. Nobody had taken their time with them before, especially not—She pushed the thought away. She didn’t want anyone in this bed except her. And Lucas.
And she wanted Lucas to ease her growing ache. He finally slid a hand down her stomach until he cupped her sex against his hot palm. Red-hot desire flooded her along with a wave of arousal that had her body ready to explode. But the frustrating man was taking his time.
She swore there’d be payback when it was her turn, but in the meantime, he inflamed every one of her senses with his talented tongue, drawing lazy licks down her belly, teasing her across her bikini line and down to her clit. But he never touched her there. He aroused her by playing around, her flesh pulsing with unsated need.
Until finally he slipped one long finger inside her, and she saw stars, her body beginning to peak.
“You’re going to come for me,” he said before curving his finger in just the right way, rubbing against her inner walls until she began to do just that.
Her body was primed, sensitive, and deprived of intimate contact for too long. She immediately began to shake, her entire being coming apart in a glorious explosion that consumed her. She lost track of time and place, the sensations and warmth shooting through her over and over.
He stayed with her, pumping his finger in and out, until she collapsed against the bed, her body limp and sated. The sound of a crinkling condom wrapper penetrated the fogginess in her brain. At just the thought of him sliding into her, their bodies connecting, she grew wet and ready once more.
He held on to his thick cock and eased the condom over his straining erection with remarkable ease. Watching him ready himself to enter her was incredibly arousing, and she couldn’t take her eyes off him, her body pulsing, damp and eager.
“I want you, Maxie. And I want you to feel every inch of me as I take you,” he said as he aligned the head of his cock with her opening.
She wasn’t used to so much talking during sex, and being with Lucas had her soaring and sublimely happy. From how he looked at her, like he wanted to devour her whole, to how his words rumbled out of him, deep and aroused, she felt wanted and special.
And she wanted him to feel the same way. For whatever this was, however long it lasted, he deserved to know he’d already given her more than she’d ever had before.
“Lucas,” she murmured, and he halted before entering her.
“Are you okay, baby?”
“So good. That’s what I wanted to tell you.”
A slow grin lifted his lips. “Glad to hear it. We’re okay then?”
He was asking permission, and her heart melted because she knew he’d do whatever she wanted.
“I want you, Lucas. And everything you make me feel.”
He replied with a groan and thrust deep inside her body, joining them together for the first time. He stilled, giving her time to adjust to his size, and soon she felt him pulsing inside her, desire building.
“God, you feel good. So tight and wet around me.”
She pulled her knees up, drawing him in deeper, and he began to move, driving into her harder with each thrust, hitting just the right spot. She caught his rhythm, and they moved in sync, a dance of bodies that started slow and quickly grew faster.
Her body tingled, and waves of pleasure washed over her with each successive plunge home until everything inside and out detonated, her orgasm an explosion of bright lights and sensation that filled her, body, heart, and soul.
“Yes, Maxie, baby.” He came seconds later, pulsing inside her, causing another ripple of an orgasm to shatter her once more.
It wasn’t enough for him to devastate her with the best sex ever, but he had to then get up, walk to the bathroom, clean up, and return with a warm washcloth for her. Next thing she knew, he pulled her into his arms, tucked her head beneath his chin, and fell asleep.
* * *
Maxie woke up disoriented. It took her a few minutes to remember where she was. Not just in Lucas’ apartment but in his bed. Alone. She drew a deep breath and calmed her rapidly beating heart.
It was one night, she reassured herself. She could handle it. She’d prepared herself ahead of time, gotten exactly what she wanted. And more, a little voice reminded her. The delicious soreness between her legs agreed.
She grabbed her nightie, pulled on a tee shirt he’d left on the end of the bed, and tiptoed to her own room. She took a shower and dresse
d, leaving her hair wet and pulled on top of her head. A pair of sweats, a tee shirt, and a casual attitude, and she was ready to walk out of her room.
She followed the smell of breakfast food to the kitchen and found Lucas. He stood by the stove wearing a pair of black track pants, a white untucked tee shirt, and bare feet, cooking French toast, something she remembered his mother making when they were growing up.
“Smells good,” she murmured.
He turned and grinned. “I picked up a few tips.”
She bit the inside of her cheek. “You didn’t need to cook for me.”
“How about I wanted to?” He gestured to a chair with the spatula, indicating she should sit down.
She settled into a seat and drank some orange juice he’d poured for them both. The tart taste helped wake her up even more than the shower had.
He served them both a plate with three slices of French toast on each. She poured syrup over hers, and when her stomach rumbled, she realized how hungry she was.
“Guess you worked up an appetite,” he said, winking as he shoveled a few pieces into his mouth.
Oh God. “Lucas—”
“Don’t want to hear it,” he said, wiping his mouth. “We both wanted last night, and I’m not going to listen to any regrets or morning-after recriminations. We didn’t do anything wrong.”
She opened and closed her mouth again because he was right.
“So what’s on tap for today?” he asked.
She tore her gaze from his sexy morning hair and razor stubble. “Nothing. I thought I’d take a walk, get some fresh air.” Think about the ramifications of what she’d done—and how he’d made her feel.
He shrugged. “Sounds like fun. I think I’ll join you.”
She couldn’t very well argue… and she didn’t want to. Spending the day with him sounded like a perfect afternoon. So what if that meant she could not overthink things. That was probably his intention anyway. Keep her too busy to dredge up issues and problems.
They’d rear their ugly heads soon enough.
* * *
Lucas knew if he gave Maxie time alone, she’d talk herself into believing last night hadn’t meant anything, when in reality, it had been everything. He understood her fears and the reasons behind them. She’d been involved with an asshole who wanted to control her, and she was stuck living with another man when she’d rather be asserting her independence in all possible ways.
Going Down Fast (Billionaire Bad Boys Book 2) Page 7
