by Maren Smith
“Sit in the pink chair, would you?” he asked as he ignited the coals in his grill.
Taking several steps forward, Samantha spotted the two chairs sitting on the concrete slab. One was high-backed and a beautiful pastel pink. The other was a navy blue, boring lawn chair. She eagerly sat down on the fabric seat. Her short legs barely reached the ground when she scooted her bottom back in the chair. Kicking her feet, Samantha allowed her eyes to roam over the hard body in front of her.
He had to be in better shape than any man she’d known. Way better shape than Darrell, she thought cattily. Her ex-husband had been the star of their high school team, while she’d been a cheerleader back then. Darrell had loved her plush figure, a bit curvy even in her teens. But as time went by, he had been unhappy with the few pounds she gained each year.
She guessed that Blake was in his early thirties. His thick black hair had begun to thin slightly at the back. Somehow that minor flaw made him even sexier. Her fingers itched with the desire to brush through the closely cropped style. She guessed he cut his hair for convenience rather than to adhere to the most popular fad.
When he looked back to see her staring at him, Samantha felt she needed to say something, “How long have you worked for the police department?”
“I enrolled in the police academy when I finished my degree in criminal justice. I’ve been with the department for nine years. What do you do?”
“I’m a graphic artist. Or, as my ex-husband describes me, I sit around all day and color.” Samantha’s tone was dismissive and self-ridiculing. She’d heard Darrell complain about her job almost since they first got married.
“Stop that.” Blake’s voice was commanding.
Swallowing hard, Samantha blinked as she looked at him in disbelief. He wasn’t upset with her because she talked badly about herself, was he? “Sorry,” she said automatically to appease him.
“Stop that, too.”
She sat there silently for several minutes, watching him tend the grill. Samantha started to wiggle forward to get her feet on the ground. Perhaps it was better if she went inside. Freezing at his next words, Samantha looked at him incredulously.
“I won’t allow you to talk badly about yourself. I don’t know what bullshit that ex-husband of yours drilled in your head, but here, it’s not allowed.” He turned and stalked back to sit in a lawn chair close to her. “He’s gone. His loss.”
“I’m not sure how much he…” Samantha stopped talking when Blake lifted one warning eyebrow. She noticed that his eyes were green—a beautiful emerald green. The artist inside her craved paper and color pencils. His face was magnetic and compelling.
“Here, you need to rehydrate.” Blake handed her a bottle of pink lemonade. When she twisted the bottle to see how many calories it held, he removed it from her hand and opened the cap for her. “Shrug off those things you’ve worried about in the past. Just enjoy being settled and free.”
Automatically, Samantha lifted the bottle to her lips. It tasted so good. “Thank you,” she said simply. “It’s delicious.”
Blake stood up. Samantha expected him to go check on the grill. To her surprise, he moved in front of her to place his hands on her chair’s armrests. He was so close. Samantha took a deep breath and held it. Blake smelled slightly of smoke from the grill, cloaking a spicy, masculine scent underneath.
“This is the last time I will say anything about your jerk ex-husband. He was a fool to let you get away. I won’t be that unwise.” Blake lifted one hand to cup the back of her head as he leaned forward. His lips captured hers. Heat burst between them as he demanded entry into her mouth. Obediently, she opened her lips to allow his tongue to sweep inside. The taste of delicious male made her toes wiggle in delight.
How long had it been since anyone had treated her as desirable? Samantha clung to the armrests, wanting to touch him but afraid to interrupt this moment. She did not want this to end. When his lips lifted from hers, she leaned forward, automatically chasing the pleasure he had bestowed.
He paused inches away from her face. Those green eyes seemed to memorize her face. The hand behind her head prevented her from shrinking back in embarrassment. “Little girl, you’re the best thing I found.” Blake’s gentle tug on her ponytail sent an electric shock to her core.
When he stood back up, Samantha tried not to breathe heavily in reaction to their close encounter. Her mind tried to rationalize the kiss, and her defenses kicked in to protect her. “Why are you doing this? I’ve been through enough. I don’t need you to make fun of me, too?”
His eyes hardened. “I’m going to ignore that tone, Little girl. I know that idiot hurt you, and you’ll need proof that I’m not like him. Will you let me prove that to you?”
Unable to draw her gaze from his, Samantha found herself nodding. A sense of rightness settled inside her. “Yes,” she whispered. His answering smile made her heartbeat jump irregularly. Damn, he’s hot.
“Drink your lemonade,” he directed.
When he turned around to place the grate on the grill, Samantha collapsed against the chair’s back. Obediently, she lifted the bottle to her lips and took a sip. Licking her lips, she savored the remnants of Blake’s kiss and found herself wishing for him to kiss her again.
Hearing her mind away from that thought, Samantha blurted the first question that came to mind, “Why do you keep calling me Little girl?”
He glanced at her before placing the steaks on the grate. The sizzle and smell of the grilling meat made Samantha’s stomach growl in hunger. Blake smiled at the loud sound as he came back to sit next to her. Extending a hand toward her, he squeezed her fingers in approval when she placed her hand on his. “I have a feeling you know exactly what a Little girl is. The Daddy inside me has searched for the one meant for me. I know I found her now. Does that scare you?”
Here in the duplex’s backyard, Samantha paused as she listened to the sounds of the neighbors and kids playing outside on a beautiful evening. Her world had narrowed to the small bubble of space that wrapped around Blake and herself. It felt safe and protected, as if she could be honest. “It should, but it doesn’t,” she whispered.
“Good girl,” he praised. “You’ve had an interminable day. I suspect you had some pretty tough weeks before that. Let’s just get to know each other tonight. Tomorrow we can have a serious conversation. Just know, I’m not going to let you run away. I’ve searched too long for you.”
Samantha nodded. She didn’t know what exactly was happening, but she felt it, too. An undeniable bond between them had clicked into place. Suddenly, the future looked so much better. Leaning back in the beautiful chair, she swung her feet in silent celebration as he dealt with their dinner.
An hour later, she pushed the plate to the edge of her lap. Her stomach was happier than it had been for a long time. She’d been eating crap for weeks. Rocked by the divorce decree that mandated the house she’d lived in for over twenty years be sold, Samantha had packed nonstop for days. She’d rented a dumpster for all the photos, mementos, and other reminders of their lives together. Darrell had walked away from everything. Precious things suddenly had no value.
The sadness that had overwhelmed her had dissipated. For the first time, getting rid of all that junk felt good. “Thank you for dinner,” she told the fascinating man.
“I’ve enjoyed your company. Got any room for dessert?”
“Oh, I forgot the cookies!” Samantha wiggled to the edge of her chair to stand.
“Hold on to those cookies. You’ll need the energy to unpack those boxes. I have something else you might like. Give me just a minute.” Blake picked up her plate and his to disappear inside his home. In just a few minutes, he returned with two long, yellow, frozen tubes.
“I haven’t had one of those Popsicles for years,” Samantha enthused.
“They make this kind for big Little girls,” Blake explained, stripping off the top with scissors, the cold tube with a napkin wrapped around it to hold.
“Not too fast, Sami,” he warned.
“I haven’t been called Sami for a very long time. Darrell didn’t think it sounded sophisticated enough.”
Blake raised his frozen treat to her in celebration. “Idiot.”
Squirming in her chair, giggles burst from her lips. She had a few more bites of the delicious treat. “I really like these.”
“They’re dangerous. Eat it slowly.” Blake shook his head at her but smiled. “Your giggles are infectious, Little girl. I’m going to make sure I hear more of those. I have a feeling you haven’t laughed in a while.”
Samantha tipped up the plastic tube to drain the last of the delicious treat into her mouth. She shook her head. “Nope. Idiot.”
His laugh filled the air, deep and filled with clear enjoyment. Samantha loved it. Holding the empty container out to him, she asked, “If it’s not incredibly rude, can I have another?”
“I think your moving in calls for a celebration. Let me grab another round.”
Chapter Three
Samantha rubbed her face against the scratchy blanket. She was so warm. Despite the rough surface under her cheek, she’d slept better than she had for a long time. Knowing that boxes were waiting to be unpacked, Samantha forced her eyes open and froze.
A broad masculine chest filled her view. Samantha lifted her right hand to brush across one massive bicep to check if she was hallucinating. Her questing fingers touched hard, warm flesh. Moving her head slowly, her gaze trailed the thick muscles of his neck up to that chiseled face. Blake.
His arms tightened around her slightly to hold her in place. “Little girl, you feel good in my arms.” His voice was low and growly, sending shivers of awareness to her core. She’d thought his voice was sexy last night.
Now, she could feel her body reacting to the pure masculinity that wrapped around her. His thigh pressed between her thighs against the pink polka-dotted panties she’d put on after her shower. He couldn’t feel her getting wet, could he?
Samantha tried to shift away from his pelvis and froze once again. He was hard. Thick and hot, his erection pressed against her soft tummy. She sucked in her belly, trying to disguise the extra pounds she knew she needed to lose.
A warm hand pressed against her back, pinning her to his hard frame. “Don’t try to be anything but you. I love your beautiful curves.”
“Blake, I don’t know how I got here, and I am way too old for you.” Samantha pushed against his muscular chest.
“Whoa, Little girl!” His arms tightened around Samantha, holding her in place. “I want you to listen to me for sixty seconds. At the end of that time, if you still want to flee, I promise I’ll let you.”
Samantha nodded. What could he say in one minute that would convince her to stay?
“That second ice pop did you in. You curled up in your chair and napped. When I woke you, you admitted that you had nowhere to sleep. I brought you in here and tucked you in bed. And you being too old for me is garbage. If it doesn’t bother me, should it bother you?”
Shocked, Samantha forgot that she’d been struggling to get away. “It’s not that easy.”
“It is. I am attracted to you, and I believe the feeling is mutual. Does it really matter if you’ve been on this earth longer than me?” That eyebrow quirked up again over one beautiful green eye. Mesmerized, she slowly shook her head. Blake leaned in to kiss her.
His mouth moved slowly over hers. Teasing and tasting, his lips beguiled her. When she lifted her chin to deepen the kiss, Samantha earned a reward. His tongue dipped into her mouth. A low groan of arousal echoed into the quiet room. That sexy, low voice had an immediate effect on her libido.
Wiggling closer to him, Samantha tried to eliminate the small gaps between his hard body and her soft flesh. He felt so good! Without conscious thought, she rubbed her full breasts against his chest. One of his hands cupped her ample bottom. She froze in self-consciousness for several seconds before Blake pulled her flush against his thick erection.
That was not the reaction of the man who was turned off by her figure. Throwing caution to the wind, Samantha decided to ignore her doubts. She would enjoy his body and his attention while she had the opportunity. Others lived for the moment. Why shouldn’t she?
That hand caressing her bottom slid under the edge of the T-shirt she wore. As he eased it up her body, Samantha allowed herself to explore Blake. Her fingers glided over his chest and shoulders, tracing the grooves of muscles. She’d never been with a man in this incredible form. She protested being interrupted from her discoveries when he pulled the garment over her head.
“Shh, Little girl. You can play again soon.”
When she emerged, Sami daringly traced her fingers down the scattered hairline on his abdomen. When she touched the silken flesh on the head of his penis, Blake ripped his mouth away from hers to growl a warning. “Little girl, you’re playing with fire. It’s time to stop me now if you don’t want this to go any further.” His eyes blazed with desire.
Rubbing herself against the hard thigh between her legs, Samantha whispered, “Please!” She clung to him as Blake rolled Samantha quickly onto her back. His mouth took hers in a blazing kiss that took her breath away.
When he lifted his head to stare down at her with desire etched on his face, Blake claimed her. “Mine!” Holding her gaze until Samantha nodded in agreement, Blake rewarded her with another devastating kiss before beginning to taste her skin as he pressed his lips to the sensitive column of her neck.
Samantha clung to him. Reflexively, she dug her nails into his shoulders when he lightly bit the skin at the curve of her shoulders. His groan of desire matched hers. Blake captured her hands and pinned them to the pillow under her head. Automatically Samantha struggled to pull loose. The thrill of being overpowered pushed her desire into a level she’d never felt before.
“Settle down, Little girl. Daddy’s in charge,” Blake ordered in a gruff tone.
“Daddy?”
“You will call me Daddy, Little girl. When you’re ready…” His voice trailed off as Blake returned to kissing her body. His lips closed over one taut nipple.
Engulfed in the heat of his mouth, Samantha felt his tongue swirled around the puckered tip. With a quick breath in, she lifted her chest toward him, seeking more. Blake rewarded her by drawing firmly on the tightened bud. She protested wordlessly with whimpered sounds when he abandoned one breast but calmed as his lips closed over her other needy peak. His hand cupped her full mound to raise it to his mouth.
Releasing her with a pop sound, Blake complimented, “So beautiful!”
For once, Samantha didn’t question his words. His expression and hard shaft pressed against her revealed his genuine desire. She basked in the appreciation in his gaze. It had been so long since she’d seen the lust in her ex-husband’s eyes. She realized the favor Darrell had done for her in ending their marriage. She felt a seductive smile curl the edges of her lips. Urging Blake on silently, Samantha lifted her pelvis to press tightly against his erection.
Blake shook his head. “No, Little girl. There’s no way I’m rushing this.” He slid down toward the bottom of the bed, kissing the fiery path down the center of her body. Hovering over those pink polka-dotted panties, he inhaled. “So sweet,” Blake murmured against the thin fabric.
His teeth closed over the thin fabric, raking her mound slightly. When she shivered underneath him, Blake pressed her hands deep into the soft pillow. “Keep your hands here, Sami,” he ordered. When she nodded, he pushed the covers over the bed’s end to reveal her body completely. Surprised, she automatically cooperated as he drew the last scrap of fabric from her body.
Blake moved to the end of the bed and easily slid her body down to the edge. As he knelt, he pressed her thighs apart and settled between them. When second
s passed and he didn’t touch her, Samantha moved her arms to prop herself up onto her elbows. Blake stared at the flesh he’d revealed, her skin free of hair. Blake glided his fingertips over her denuded mound.
“Oh, Little girl. You are more beautiful than I could have imagined.” Her small sound of surprise drew his attention. “Don’t be naughty. I would enjoy spanking your full bottom. Back into position,” he ordered.
Immediately, she flopped back down to the mattress. Abandoning any attempt at being graceful, Samantha only wished to follow his directions. She strained to watch, cursing her full breasts, which impeded her view as his head lowered to the junction of her thighs. She felt the warmth first of his skin and then the searing heat of his tongue as he lapped through her pink folds. The rumble of his “mmm” as he tasted her vibrated through her most sensitive area. Clenching her fingers into the pillow, Samantha forced herself to stay in position.
His mouth devoured her. Nibbling and sucking, Blake explored her intimately. When one thick finger glided into her narrow channel, Samantha tried to lift her pelvis closer to his lips. He quickly controlled her movements with one firm hand on her hip. Samantha knew Blake was in charge. She would have to take all that he lavished on her body. Closing her eyes, she savored the sensations building within her.
Two fingers replaced the one to stretch her. It had been so long since anyone had touched her intimately. Sami moaned at the burning pleasure. His lips closed around that bundle of nerves at the top of her channel to distract her. Sucking lightly at the bud, Blake continued to prepare her.
Her juices flooded from her as her arousal grew higher than anything she had felt before. Samantha pushed her old regrets from her mind. Concentrate on this! She was rewarded as his teeth closed gently over her clitoris. A fast, intense orgasm flashed over her body, leaving her panting at its impact. A keening sound echoed from deep inside her. His caresses gentled to prolong her pleasure.
