One Taste

by Cari Quinn

  With the tip of her tongue, she inched over to tickle the underside of his sac, then used the flat of her tongue for a lazy swipe before she sucked him into her mouth. Still, she didn’t touch him with anything but her mouth. He tucked a wild strand of her hair around her ear and she released him with a pop.

  “Just let me touch you.”

  He froze. Could he trust her to stay with him? All the times they’d come together it was because he’d maneuvered her through the hazy detachment that happened just before she came.

  “I want to watch you go crazy for once.” She kicked at the sheets until their cocoon loosened and she was able to crawl over him, caging him with her body and the wild beauty trapped in her secretive gaze. Only now, it wasn’t so secret. It was the most open she’d been with him.

  She straddled his belly, her knees on either side of him. The heat of her and sweet cocoa butter melded with the scent of sex. She circled his wrist, dragging it up and tucking it under his head. The soft sway of her breast was too tempting to resist. She eased away. “Not for you.”

  He smiled and arched up, brushing his nose along the heavy underside of her palm-sized breast. “All for me.”

  She captured his other wrist, leaning over him but keeping her breast just out of his reach. “Right now, it’s all about you.” She dragged her teeth over his lower lip, then his chin and flicked her tongue over his scruffy neck. Her nipples teased his chest. “You’re going to be my personal jungle gym and you’re going to love every minute.”

  “Fuck.”

  She nuzzled her nose along his neck and over to his shoulder, sinking her teeth into the skin between them. “Oh there will be fucking, when I’m good and ready.”

  “Jesus, Miranda.”

  She laughed. “You can call out to any deity you want, Nathan Cross, but you’re still going to lie there and take every lick, bite and stroke that I decide to dish out. I want free rein over this unbelievably gorgeous body.”

  He stiffened under her.

  “Nuh-uh. I can see you moving your hands. No self-control, Nathan?”

  “Not when it comes to you,” he said around clenched teeth.

  “Good, that makes us even.” She pressed her cheek against the underside of his arm, another nip at the skin above his armpit. “You make me so crazy I can’t think sometimes.”

  He blew out a slow breath and forced himself to relax. If he needed to be at her mercy to show that he trusted her, then that’s what he’d do. He locked his fingers together under his head and loosened his muscles one by one.

  “Ah, there we go.” She inched her way back until the cleft of her ass slid across the head of his cock and down his shaft. The soft folds of her pussy trapped him, surrounding him until only the tip of his head showed from between her lips.

  She pressed open-fingered hands flat to his chest, molding his pecs slowly as she slid herself along his length. “You have the most amazing cock.”

  She leaned over him, her hot breath around his nipple. Spreading her fingers wider, she licked, mimicking the pressure of her pussy around his dick with her finger around his nipple. His hips slowly rolled under her as he flexed the muscles in his ass.

  She pressed her forehead into her hand and drew in a deep breath. “That’s cheating, Nathan.”

  “Do you want me to stop?” But he didn’t stop. He kept flexing in time to her clenching.

  She sighed her way through a groan. “I should say yes, but God, that feels so good.”

  His ass was about to cramp, but he didn’t care, he kept up the tiny undulation and watched her face slack into lines of pleasure. She got wetter. Her tight slit plumped as she rolled her hips faster. “If you let me use my hands, I could rub your clit.”

  Her eyes shot open, the green and gold mesmerizing that close to orgasm. “No.” She sat back. “I don’t want to come yet.”

  “Are you sure?” He rocked her again.

  “God, I can feel every ridge. I want you inside me, to feel you spread me open.”

  “Yes,” he hissed. He wanted that too. He wanted to flip her and drive into her, watching her take him again and again.

  Her nails dug into his belly and he tightened his abs instinctively with a hiss. “Watching your eyes, I can see how bad you want me.” She planted her hand on either side of his face and lifted herself off him.

  The quick shock of cold air on his cock unlocked his hands like a loaded spring.

  “Nuh uh, Nathan.”

  Unable to stop himself, he cupped her face and dragged her down to kiss him, the clash of tongues and teeth, lips and breath rendered the game a draw in his mind. He rolled her, opening her wide. “Miranda.”

  “You win,” she said around his mouth. “Just get inside me before I scream.”

  “Go ahead and scream anyway.”

  She laughed and the sound was so sweet that he stilled above her. She lifted her head, nipped at his chin. “What?”

  “I don’t hear you laugh enough.”

  Puzzled, she cupped his face. “I laugh all the time.”

  “Not when we’re like this.”

  She dragged him down to her mouth, kissing him gently. “I’m trying, Nate. I just haven’t had a lot to laugh about when it comes to sex.”

  He searched her gaze, but the one little tidbit was all he was going to get and he didn’t want to ruin the moment asking for more. Instead he reached for the nightstand and the box of condoms. Kneeling between her legs, he readied himself and then stroked his head through her slick folds.

  She closed her eyes as he tucked himself into her waiting heat.

  “Miranda.”

  Her lashes fluttered open, the green-gold irises hazy with pleasure. He widened her knees and pressed deeper. She watched as he disappeared inside her, her breath quickening. She finally tore her gaze away from their joined bodies and met his eyes. He withdrew and sank back inside her, watching her go blind.

  Hooking his forearm under her knee, he lifted it until every inch of him was inside her. Her fingernails bit into his shoulder. “More.”

  As if the word was a switch, he lifted her other leg and rested both her calves on his shoulders. The angle maximized the friction between them and allowed a deeper angle. He ground into her with long strokes, feeling her clench around him with each connection of their flesh.

  She held on to him, her grip transferring to his ass then to the floor in support as she took every thrust. He knew he wasn’t going to last long. Thrusting deeper, he held on, wanting to spin out the pleasure, but Miranda was too far gone for that. The moment she growled out his name he lost it. The burn of release gathered from his spine and into Miranda as if she’d yanked everything out of him with one greedy gulp. His mind went silent, his brain shorting out like a fried fuse.

  They both collapsed into a tangle of limbs slick with sweat and the fiery embers of sex-scented air. Afraid to crush her, he shifted enough for his cheek and hip to press into the carpet. He was reassured by the gentle stroke of her fingers through his hair. Neither of them said anything.

  He’d never given that much of himself to another person in his life. Laid bare, he was afraid to look into her eyes. If he saw that shuttered distance right now, he was afraid it would rip his heart right out of his chest.

  “Nate.”

  He smashed his nose into the carpet for a moment before he opened his eyes. Relief spread through his chest. The soft smile on her face and shiny eyes may as well have been a declaration. He gave a whoop and hooked his arm under her knees and shoulders and lifted her up.

  “Nate!”

  “I won’t let you fall,” he said and deposited her on the bed. Making quick work of cleanup, he crowded in on her from the back, spooning them together. Surrounding her with his arms and heart, he felt her sigh into him. They didn’t need words, not yet.

  For now, just having her close was enough.

  Miranda walked back into the bedroom, a plate in each hand. They’d forgotten to eat and somehow she’d end
ed up cooking the breakfast. Well, if you could call three in the afternoon breakfast.

  He was spread out across her bed, diagonally. Even with her queen bed, it wasn’t quite large enough for Nate to sleep comfortably. He didn’t seem to have any trouble taking over her space. He was on his back with a pillow drawn across his face, the sheet low on his hips. The platinum and cream colors of her bedding made him appear even more tan and male.

  Standing there, she simply took a good look. She’d touched, kissed and stroked every inch of his body and still it continued to fascinate her. Smooth and muscled in places she didn’t even know you could create muscles. She’d never been with a man like Nate. Most of the men who had traveled in and out of her life were spoiled rich boys who did only the bare minimum to stay in shape for the thousand-dollar suits they were required to wear.

  Nate was one of those men who looked good clothed and naked. And man, had they been naked. He was inventive and exciting, patient and skilled in ways she didn’t really want to think about. He wasn’t the safe guy with the good portfolio she’d imagined herself with. He wasn’t in any scenario she’d thought of, pre-Miranda or post.

  Sitting down on the bed, she balanced the plate on her bedside table. “Nate,” she whispered. He shifted under the blankets, the outline of his long legs and impressive shaft on display. She looked away from the bulge, trying not to imagine her mouth wrapped around it, and pulled his pillow away from his face. “Nate.”

  Long black lashes opened, revealing eyes more misty gray than stormy in the dim light. He closed them again, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth. “Hello there.”

  “Hungry?”

  He cracked one lid open again as she lifted the plate into view. “I suppose I need food to keep up with you, huh?”

  She rolled her eyes, tugging a fork out of her bathrobe pocket. “Insatiable.”

  “Definitely,” he said and sat up, taking the plate and fork. “I thought I was supposed to cook?”

  “You were too busy snoring.” She forked up some of her omelet, spinach, cheese and tomatoes oozing onto the plate. “Hope you don’t mind veggies.”

  “I think I supplied enough protein.” He waggled his brows and dug into his eggs.

  She couldn’t hold back the laugh, even if the joke was lame. “You’re a bit of a dork, aren’t you?”

  He took a healthy bite, winding the extra cheese onto his fork. “I’m afraid it comes with the engineering degree. Far too many Trekkies hung out with our crew.”

  She shook her head, tackling her food. “I don’t think I’ve known a single Trekkie in my life.”

  “Oh baby,” he leaned in, licking a bit of cheese that clung to her lips, “you don’t know what you’re missing.”

  Self-conscious at the intimacy, she looked down at her plate. He’d touched every part of her body, but sharing a meal had her freaking out. Christ, she was screwed up.

  “Where’d you go?”

  “Hmm?” She smiled automatically. “Just didn’t think this is what I’d be doing this weekend.”

  “Oh really? What was the plan?”

  Wrinkling her nose, she shook her head. “Too boring to say out loud.”

  “Do you see your folks on the weekend?”

  Startled, she stood, nearly sliding what was left of her omelet to the floor. “God no.” She put her plate on her bedside table. She turned, not looking at him, taking his plate as well.

  Before she could get there, he clasped her wrist. “Do you have family, Miranda? You never talk about them.”

  She tried a smirk. “We’ve been a little busy getting naked to talk family.”

  He reeled her in. “You know all about my family.”

  Miranda wanted to ignore the sharing portion. Couldn’t they keep it the way it was for now? “Parents and a younger sister. We’re not,” she cleared her throat, “um, close.”

  “History?” he asked, linking his fingers at the small of her back.

  Feeling trapped, she tried not to squirm. “Yeah, sort of. Can we not talk about it?” His eyes were focused and clear on hers. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him—deepening it quickly to distract him.

  He cupped her face, his thumbs brushing her cheeks. “Miranda.” He avoided her mouth as she leaned into him again. “Stop.”

  “Don’t do this.”

  “Do what? Try to get to know you?”

  Frustration roiled in her gut. “You know all there is to know.”

  “You say you have a past, but you won’t talk about it.”

  “Because it’s in the past.” She slid off the bed. She couldn’t face those earnest eyes of his. Goddamn Boy Scout had no idea what it was like to hate your family.

  He stood up so fast, his sheet twisted around his waist, jerking him back onto the bed. “Miranda.”

  She cinched the robe at her waist and picked up their plates. She heard him swear, but she didn’t stop. After loading the dishwasher, she rinsed out her small frying pan.

  “Miranda,” he said from behind her.

  “You can just let yourself out.”

  “Jesus Christ, what kind of men have you dated in the past?”

  She stiffened at the sink. His voice was dark and a little too controlled. “None of your concern, obviously. I’d like you to go now. I have tons of work to get done.”

  “Dammit, Miranda!” His fingers gripped her upper arms. “I just want to get to know you. Family’s important to me.”

  She closed her eyes. The only family she cared about had died. “Then we have a problem, because they’re the least important thing in my life.”

  He jerked his hand back as if he’d been burned. She looked over her shoulder. “About that door.”

  “I guess that Miranda is back. I rather like the one I spent last night and today making love to.”

  Stupid twit, just lie and get that big man between your thighs again. This is the first man to get into your panties for ages. Don’t ruin it.

  She clutched the counter. No. No. “Nathan, wait.”

  “Is it really so hard to tell me?” he asked quietly.

  She turned around, lifting her chin until their eyes met. “Nothing before you matters.” That was the one thing she could say with absolute truth. And if he knew the real her, he’d be gone. She couldn’t give him up. Even if it scared her to the bone, she couldn’t let go, the alternative was worse. “Isn’t that enough?”

  He pulled her into his arms and she sighed into his warmth. “I just wish you would trust me.”

  “I do.” As much as she could.

  “I’m falling in love with you, Miranda.”

  She drew back, all the lies crowding in on her, buzzing around her head. “Nate.”

  “Don’t say anything. I can tell by the way you’re shaking that it’s not what you want to hear, but I needed to say it.” The misery in his voice opened her up with all the grace of a crowbar.

  She clutched at his shoulders, dragging him down to her mouth. “I don’t deserve someone like you,” she whispered into his mouth.

  “I wish you could see yourself like I do.”

  She closed her eyes against the lies he saw. The Miranda she’d created. Evidently she’d done a damn good job. God, how she wanted to live the lies for him and with him. She held on, walking him back into the bedroom. “Show me.”

  Chapter Ten

  Miranda secured Stella’s leash around her hand, taking their jog into a run. Her feet pounded into the slats of the pier as Stella’s happy bark pushed her on. The sun was setting off the Bay and she’d worked up a solid sweat. The restlessness was about two feet behind her, but if she could keep it there for even half an hour it would be better than nothing.

  Muscles aren’t pretty. Stop running so fucking hard. He’s just a guy.

  Instead of listening, she kicked up the pace, pushing herself harder. Her thighs were screaming, but it was better than sitting in her damn house. She’d moved on to work and found herself going over his site
instead of the backlog of clients that deserved her attention.

  So she’d finally looked to the water and the solace it gave her. She lifted her face to the last rays of the sun, sucking in the sea air as her lungs heaved. Finally she slowed to a jog and then to a walk, bracing her hands on her knees as her blood pounded in her ears.

  Laughing when Stella ducked under and licked her face, she scratched her ears. “Okay, girl. I’m okay.” She dropped onto a bench, Stella following suit as they both panted at about the same level. Her dog struggled under her arm and flopped her head into her lap. She grinned down at her silver coat, scratching behind her ears. “What would I do without you?”

  There was no answer in her big dark eyes, but the unconditional love was pretty obvious. She pushed her big lolling tongue away, but not before she got another bath for her trouble. “Get off.” She laughed. Stella didn’t budge. Instead, she pinned her to the bench with her big body. Petting her silky fur, Miranda leaned on her dog and listened to the water lap against the pier.

  She didn’t know what the hell she was going to do now. The stony quiet that had pervaded her apartment the minute the orgasms were over had killed whatever they’d been building. Instead of talking to him, she just watched him dress. He even tried to talk to her, but she’d just shut him down. Hell, she didn’t even pretend to try to change his mind when he offered to go.

  He’d simply wanted to know about her family. Simple, getting-to-know-you things.

  She hefted off one hundred and forty pounds of Stella and stood up. They had a long walk back to the apartment. So she could think about Nate just a little bit more? Great. Winding the leash around her hand to shorten it up, she headed down the pier. Normally she’d jog her way home, but laziness and an ugly depression was making her feet feel like cement blocks.

  Using one of the trolleys wasn’t an option with Stella. Even as well behaved as she was, there were too many people on those stupid things to think the conductor would allow her to board. Dragging her butt behind, she headed out to the Embarcadero. At least she’d have a nice view if she had to make the trek a few blocks down before hitting Union Street’s grueling hill.