Worth Everything: Worth It, Book 4

by Karen Erickson

  Then she’d turned, giving him an up close view of her pert breasts, her dusky rose nipples that were the same color as her unglossed lips. She’d stood tall and proud, like some sort of female warrior set to conquer him.

  And weakling that he was, he wanted to surrender. Desperately.

  “Does this put me at risk?” Her sweetly sexy voice broke through his thoughts, reminding him that he had a flesh-and-blood, naked-as-the-day-she-was-born woman standing before him, teasing him with tiny steps that brought her closer to him. The scent of chlorine and fresh, delicious woman filled the air, and he was damn tempted to reach out and pull her in. Feel all that wet, warm skin wrap around him, crush his mouth to hers and kiss her until both of them couldn’t think straight.

  Yeah, that sounded perfect. He was tired of thinking, worrying about what they were doing. He knew he shouldn’t do this. Shouldn’t screw around with any client, he’d never done so in his life and he had no idea what this said about him. How easily he was ready to compromise this case, which really wasn’t a case at all, right?

  More like a favor. Yeah, a favor to reconnect her with her long-lost family, that’s all this was.

  Gavin frowned. How easily he could justify this. He hadn’t done something like that in forever. When he’d been young and reckless, he’d justified anything and everything. Stealing? Yeah, he’d been a broke-ass joke with no one to take care of him, no job skills. He had to do it to stay alive. Doing drugs? Hey, they just eased the pain and hopelessness that seemed to run through him like a never-ending cycle. Thank God he’d stopped that bad habit early on.

  Now, having sex with a beautiful woman who tempted him like no other? It was risky, he knew this. But she wanted him and he wanted her, there was no denying it. So hell yeah…

  “Gavin?”

  “This won’t put you at risk. I’m still your attorney,” he said quickly, giving in to his impulses.

  Reaching out, he grabbed her by the crook of her arm, hauling her close. She slammed against him, a breathless laugh escaping her when their bodies collided. She was wet, her skin touched with cool yet so damn hot. She slipped her arms around him, her hands spread wide across his back, and he pulled her in closer, his hands clutching her ass cheeks, smoothing over baby-soft skin.

  “Oh, God,” she whispered, tilting her head back to look at him.

  Her exposed neck was a temptation he couldn’t ignore. Bending over her, he brushed soft kisses along the side of her neck, his lips lingering, licking her fragrant skin with his tongue. Lust thrummed through his veins, riding him hard at her decadent taste.

  She shivered, thrust her hands in his hair to hold him close. He bent her completely over his arm, his mouth blazing a path along her collarbone, her chest, stopping just at her breasts. She whimpered, her fingers tightening in his hair to the point of pain and he smiled just before he took one pretty little nipple into his mouth and sucked.

  He was fueled by the sound of his name falling from her lips on a ragged moan. Lifting away from her breasts, he pulled her upright, sealing her mouth with his in a searing hot kiss. She parted her lips for him eagerly, their tongues stroking together, their hands everywhere. He grasped her by the buttocks again, hauling her up so he could carry her. She wrapped her legs around him, leaving her bare and open against his stomach. He could feel her fiery hot wetness brand him, and his cock jerked in reaction.

  “One of the chairs,” she murmured against his mouth. “Hurry.”

  He fell back on one of the oversized lounge chairs nearby, and she settled on top of him, straddling either side of him with those long, luscious legs. She sat atop him, her hair a tangled wet mess, her breasts bobbing in front of his face. She was a temptress, the sexy smile curving her lush mouth made his entire body tight with want. He settled his hands on the outside of her thighs and thrust his hips. Letting her know just how she made him feel.

  “Oh my,” she whispered, grinding against him. “Maybe you should take those jeans off.”

  “I don’t have any sort of protection,” he warned. Regret filled him. He should’ve been better prepared.

  “Me either.” She nibbled on her lower lip, her fingers busy sliding down the zipper of his jeans. “I guess we’ll have to improvise.”

  He groaned when she trailed her fingers along the skin she exposed, her touch feather-light and so fucking good he didn’t know how much longer he could take it. She urged his jeans down impatiently, her fingers curling around the waistband and giving them a tug. He lifted his hips, helped her remove them until they were both completely naked.

  “Mmm.” She grasped the base of his cock and stroked. “I haven’t improvised in years.”

  “Me either.” He grunted when she stroked him again, closed his eyes against the onslaught of pleasurable sensations her touch brought forth. Breathing deep, he searched for control. Couldn’t come too soon and embarrass himself. He didn’t want this to end before it started.

  Besides, he wanted to make her come first. Wanted to know what she looked like, what she sounded like when her climax hit. Wanted to touch her, taste her, suck her into his mouth until she became mindless with it.

  “Come here,” he whispered, and she frowned at him in confusion. “Bring those pretty little hips up closer.”

  Realization dawned, and her eyes widened. But that didn’t stop her from allowing him to drag her closer, until she was hovering directly above him, her sex mere inches from his mouth. Reaching out, he touched her, dragged his fingers along her damp slit, making her moan with pleasure when he parted her lips and searched her drenched folds, teasing her swollen clit.

  “I could come right now,” she said between pants. “I swear it.”

  “Not yet,” he murmured as he lifted his head, swiping at her distended clit with his tongue. She tilted her head back and cried out, her hips subtly moving against his face as he started to devour her creamy center. She was incredibly responsive, her sexy little whimpers doing him in, and he wished he had a condom so he could take her properly.

  But maybe she was right. Maybe there was nothing wrong with some improvising. It was certainly helping him see exactly what she liked and how he could make her come. Like now, he knew she was close, what with the frantic movements of her hips, the breathless little cries that escaped her. He sank two fingers inside her velvety hot depths, thrusting in and out, drawing her clit deep into his mouth and sucked. Hard.

  She cried out his name just before her body bucked against his mouth, shivers overtaking her as she writhed above him. He continued his assault, drawing out the uncontrollable shivers that took over her body. Finally he slowed his ministrations as she came down from her orgasm, until she slid away from his mouth so she could collapse on top of him.

  “Oh, my God, that was quick,” she whispered against his chest before she kissed him there, just above his heart.

  He smoothed his hands along her supple skin, his fingers lingering on her backside, tracing the dimples that rested just above it. “That’s a good thing sometimes, right?”

  She lifted her head with a lazy smile. “Definitely.” Leaning in closer, she kissed him, didn’t seem bothered by the fact that her juices still clung to his lips and tongue. In fact, she took it deeper, her tongue tangling with his, a low moan escaping her when they finally broke apart. “I can taste myself.”

  “You like that, don’t you?” Damn, she was a turn on. His cock pressed against her soft belly, wanting so damn bad to slip inside her warmth and fuck both of them into oblivion.

  “Yes.” She ducked her head for a moment before meeting his gaze once more. Her eyes were dark with passion, her lips swollen, her hair an absolute mess. “But now, I want to taste you.”

  Her body still shaky from the intense orgasm brought forth by Gavin’s masterful fingers and tongue, she slithered down his hard body, settling just below his jutting erection. He was large, the tip of the flared head sticky with pre-come, and she curled her hand around the base of him, surprised that
her fingers didn’t quite meet. “Lovely,” she whispered, which earned a laugh from him.

  “Did you just call my cock—lovely?”

  She glanced up, startled at his choice of words. Look at her handsome, suave and urbane lawyer man using such crude language. “I did,” she said sheepishly as she gave him a firm stroke.

  His eyes looked ready to cross from the way she touched him, which made her smile. “Most men would find that an insult to their manhood,” he choked out.

  “But you’re not most men, are you?” Keeping her gaze steady on his, she darted out her tongue, licked the very tip of him with a deliberate stroke.

  “Jesus,” he rasped as he cupped the side of her head, his gaze dropping to where her mouth barely touched the top of his erection. “Wrap your lips around me.”

  She did as he demanded, thrilling at how he commanded her. Thrilling even more at how easily she followed his order. She normally enjoyed taking charge sexually. Had been with men who had no problem with it, some of them almost seeming to prefer it.

  Stasia couldn’t help but wonder how Gavin might feel about that. He seemed more the aggressive type. Which sent an electric current of pleasure pulsing throughout her body.

  “Take more of me in your mouth,” he urged, and she wrapped her lips completely around the head, sucking him with the lightest pressure, reveling in the agonized groan that escaped him.

  It felt deliciously wicked, outside by the pool completely naked with Gavin, her lips wrapped tight around his cock. He tasted salty and clean, was so big and pulsing inside her mouth, and she took him deeper, her hands busy, her lips and tongue busy teasing him, wanting to bring him to orgasm soon.

  He slipped his hands on either side of her head, gripping her tight, guiding her. She let him take the lead, loving how aggressive he was, never shying away from showing her what he wanted.

  Slowly but surely his control was slipping away. His hips surged, sweat broke out all over his skin and he arched his head back, groaning long and low before he muttered, “I’m coming. God, I’m coming.”

  She encouraged him, squeezing him tight, sucking the head of his cock just so. Feeling the first spurts of semen on her tongue, she milked him, drank from him as he shuddered and shook, the orgasm wrenching everything out of him until he finally collapsed on the chair. She released her hold on him, wiped the side of her mouth with the back of her hand, and he relaxed his grip on her hair.

  Removing one hand, the other remained in her hair as he smoothed his fingers through the strands in a tender gesture. “Damn woman,” he muttered. “That was unbelievable.”

  She smiled, turned her face so she could kiss the palm of his hand. “See how great improvising can be sometimes?”

  “Yeah.” He smiled weakly, looking rather pleased, which pleased her since she was the one who did that to him. “I’d much prefer a bed, though. With plenty of condoms on hand.”

  Her skin tingled at the image. Did he want to continue this? Or was it a one-shot deal? If they were smart, this would be it. It would be foolish to continue any sort of affair.

  Stasia frowned. It would also be foolish to leave it at this and never do anything else either. She wanted to know what it was like, having sex with Gavin. Having that connection with him, feeling him move inside her, come with her…

  Her body softened, went damp. She couldn’t not continue this with Gavin.

  Could only hope he felt the same way.

  Chapter Eight

  “Miss Anastasia, your brother is on the line.” Renzo held the house phone out toward her.

  She hesitated before she took it from him. “Which one?” she whispered.

  “Matteo,” he whispered back, gesturing toward her with the cordless phone.

  She grabbed it, escaping out to the back patio so she could talk to him privately. Not that there was anyone else in the kitchen besides Renzo and Elena. Her mother was, of course, nowhere to be found, and Stasia had a feeling Gavin was still asleep in the tower room.

  Warmth suffused her at the thought of Gavin naked in bed. So not the image she wanted floating in her mind as she spoke to her big brother. “Matt. Good morning.”

  “Good morning. I trust you’ve spoken to Mama.” It wasn’t a question. He was that confident she’d taken care of things already. She’d let him know a few days ago she was going to the villa to confront their mother, and he’d encouraged her, agreeing it was a fine idea.

  Thank goodness for her eldest brother. He was such a positive influence in her life, especially now, when she desperately needed the support.

  Sighing, she went to sit on a lounger by the pool, ignoring the one she and Gavin had occupied last evening. “Not enough. She hasn’t come out of her room once. But we’ve not been here a full twenty-four hours yet, so there’s still time.”

  “We? Who else is with you?”

  She sighed again. Sometimes it was as if no one listened to her, especially her brothers. She knew she’d told him about Gavin. “I brought my attorney. He’s an old friend of Alexander Worth’s. I think he can get me in to speak with them.”

  Matteo remained silent for so long, she thought she’d lost him. “Are you still there?” she finally asked.

  “Stasia, this is a bad idea.” His voice was firm, in that there-will-be-no-arguing-way of his. “Get rid of the attorney and speak to Mama alone.”

  “There is no way I’m getting rid of Gavin.”

  “Gavin, is it? Sounds rather informal. How old is he, anyway? And how do you know him again?”

  “None of your business,” she grumbled, hating how she felt like she was talking to her father. Matteo had always taken on that responsible-brother-in-charge role. It came with the territory, what with him being the oldest of the four.

  “Meaning he is most likely young and handsome and successful. Meaning he will also try his damnedest to get into your bed. Don’t let him, Stasia. Attorneys are nothing but trouble.”

  Too late. Rubbing her forehead with the tips of her fingers, she leaned back against the chair. “I’m not a stupid little girl, so stop treating me like one.”

  Now it was his turn to sigh. “Be careful, that’s all I ask. I know you can convince Mama to talk to you. The two of you have always been close. I don’t know why she’s behaving the way she is, but if anyone can get through to her, it’s you.”

  “I hope so.” She paused, wishing her brother’s certainty could somehow transfer into her and give her the strength she needed to make the dreaded confrontation. “Where are you?”

  “In Milan, visiting the in-laws. Lucia is not…feeling well.”

  “Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.” Not that she and her sister-in-law were very close, but she never wished ill will toward her. Lucia was quiet, could be rather snobbish. Quite proud of her husband, the newly appointed CEO of Renaldi Accessories, she enjoyed nothing more than going out with her equally snobby friends and shopping. Spending lots of money was her favorite hobby, but Matteo never seemed to protest. Not the most affectionate mother either, she practically neglected her young son, Matty.

  That was the part that irritated Stasia the most. Who could ignore that sweet little boy, especially his mother? She didn’t understand it.

  “She’ll be fine. I thought having her here with her family would cheer her up, but she’s spent most of the time in bed.” Concern laced her brother’s voice. “It’s as if she’s too weak to get out of it. She sleeps most of the day.”

  Stasia frowned. That didn’t sound like Lucia. She was always all over the place, never one for idle time. “Take her to the doctor, Matt. Maybe she has some sort of flu.”

  “Perhaps. You need to visit and soon, Stasia. Once all the dust settles over this entire mess, we would love to have you. We’ll be back in New York soon. And Matty misses you.”

  “I miss him too. Give him a kiss for me.”

  “Will do. Perhaps I’ll have him Facetime you in the next few days.”

  “Oh, that sounds wonderful. Ple
ase do so.”

  They said their goodbyes and she hung up, setting the phone on the glass-and-iron table beside her. The sun was warm as it shone directly overhead, the constant breeze ruffling her unbound hair. She was still clad in her thin robe and nightgown, no make-up, her hair a mess. In desperate need of a shower before she went to her mother and tried to talk to her again.

  Last night had ended soon after the moment on the lounge chair. Her cheeks heated remembering it. When they’d finally climbed off the chair, Gavin had slipped on his jeans and she’d gone in search of her dress, finding it a damp heap along with her panties by the pool. She’d put it on anyway, too self-conscious to walk around naked. Too worried over what Gavin might think.

  And that was her biggest problem, wasn’t it? She never knew what Gavin was thinking. That they’d messed around still shocked her. He went from being the stern, argumentative lawyer to the fairly amiable, positive thinking partner to the man who growled at her to take all of him in her mouth right before he came.

  Her entire body heated at that particular memory.

  Like a gentleman, he’d walked her to the main house, given her a sweet kiss that turned her inside out and wanting more, then left her in front of the French doors while he headed back to the guest quarters. No offer for her to come join him in his bed and finish what they’d started, though she hadn’t invited him to her room either.

  Not that she’d risk it. Something about being with Gavin made her a little louder than usual. She could only imagine screaming his name when he made her come, her mother’s bedroom down at the end of the hall. What if Mama heard her?

  Her cheeks burned at the thought.

  She felt someone standing behind her before she saw him, almost jumped in her seat when a large hand settled on her shoulder. Turning, she found Gavin standing there with a slight smile on his sleepy-looking face. “Hey.”