Beauty in His Bed

by L. K. Below

  He reached out, laying his hand atop her tightly-clenched fist. Her skin was soft. He couldn’t resist stroking it with his thumb. “Cher, my mama ain’t always the most peaceful of folk, especially given the reason I ran out, but you should never feel threatened by her.”

  Amy’s lips parted. Her tongue dipped out to moisten the seam. “Why exactly did you run out?”

  Seb retracted his hand, wondering what to say. He opted for the truth. “I bailed her out of jail.” From Amy’s rapt attention and the way she opened her mouth, she had far more questions. He didn’t want to answer them, not yet. His family could be a lot to process, especially without Mama nearby to charm her. “Must we talk about this now?” he pleaded. “While I’m here, I’d rather speak of other things.”

  With downcast eyes, Amy admitted, “I didn’t expect to see you again.”

  “I didn’t expect you to run out on me in the middle of the night.”

  Wrong thing to say. He was acting like a surly teenager. So she’d left. Now was the time to make amends, not rile her. But how was he supposed to do that? He’d been counting on the fact that she’d want to see him. This hostile behavior wouldn’t do.

  On impulse, he said, “Let’s catch a show.”

  “A show?”

  “Oui, cher. Whichever you want. We’ll run by a restaurant, too.”

  Her gaze fastened to him. Calculating. “Are you asking me on a date?”

  The way she looked at him made him feel as though all his darkest secrets were spread out over the table. Shrugging to hide his discomfort, he muttered, “Yeah. We never had one in New Orleans.”

  Amy brightened. Like a flower unfurling toward the sun. Her eyes lit with delight and her back straightened. Soc au lait, why hadn’t he asked before?

  Leaning closer, she purred, “Why don’t we have a staying-in date? Watch a movie, order take-out. It’ll be fun.”

  From the invitation in her voice, he sensed it would be very fun, indeed. Her lips beckoned, promising carnal delights. Even though he’d had her less than twenty-four hours ago, the need to taste her nearly brought him to his knees. He leaned in, about to meld their mouths.

  A key twisted in the lock, followed by the sound of the door opening. Amy’s lips pursed in annoyance. “If that’s Hannah, I swear to God…”

  Seb said nothing, but buried his disappointment. When she stood, he followed her into the front room.

  As she saw the impromptu visitor, she deflated. Her shoulders hunched inward, like she was trying to hide. Dismay and insecurity painted her face. What a change from the vivacious, flirty woman of only a few moments before. This must be her ex-boyfriend.

  Seb took the man’s measure. They stood roughly the same height, though the cap had about twenty pounds on Seb. Round, clean-shaven face. Messy blond hair. And the coldest expression Seb had ever seen.

  He stepped forward, trying to shield Amy from the man. “What’s your business here?”

  The man’s face twisted. “My business? This is my apartment.”

  Clenching his fists, Seb shook his head. He didn’t want to overstep his bounds with Amy, but he didn’t want this heinous man to tread all over her, either.

  Fortunately, she still had enough courage to speak, albeit in a small voice. “No, it’s not, Tim. The lease is under my name.”

  Tim sneered. “Whatever. I wouldn’t want this shitty place, anyway. Even if you cleaned away your filth.”

  Filth? This guy had a loose screw. The apartment looked pristine to Seb.

  Adopting a superior expression, Tim said, “I’m just here for the rest of my stuff.”

  “I don’t have it.” From Amy’s tone of voice, she was on the verge of tears.

  Tim’s face darkened. “You don’t what?” The bulky man stepped forward, fist clenched.

  Seb met him halfway. “Lay a hand on her and you’ll draw back a nub.”

  Unfortunately, the man didn’t appear overly intimidated. It would have done Amy good to see him that way. Despite Tim’s sneer, Seb didn’t back away.

  Amy stepped forward, hovering to the side. “I don’t have your stuff, Tim. Hannah threw it all out.”

  A quick glance to the side showed shame blooming across Amy’s cheeks. Fix it.

  Seb intended to.

  Tim’s snarl resembled the twisted maw of a demon. “That spiteful bitch. I thought I told you to cut ties with her.”

  Seb stepped close enough to brush shoulders with the despicable man. He put on his lawyer face. “Listen, cap. You don’t have the right to choose Amy’s friends. Anything you left behind, you forfeited. If you abandoned it in the apartment–which is under her name–it legally belongs to her.” When Tim continued to stare menacingly, Seb added, “Do you need me to repeat that in court, or what?”

  “And just who are you?”

  “Her boyfriend.”

  Tim started to laugh, but stopped when he caught the murderous expression on Seb’s face. “Why would you be with someone like her?”

  “A sexual goddess? Good question, chief. I’m so far beneath her it’s a wonder she lets me kiss the ground she walks on.”

  “Amy?”

  “Is the most beautiful, sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. Watch what you say, podna. Now I think you’d best be going. Before I decide to commit a felony.”

  Seb noted the flash of fear in Tim’s eyes with satisfaction. He remained still, foreboding, until the other man retreated. When the apartment door shut, he turned around.

  Amy stood staring at him. Instead of looking proud or satisfied, she looked appalled. “Why… Why would you say those things about me? I know I’m not a g-goddess. I–”

  Seb cut her off with a kiss. If she didn’t believe his words, he’d have to show her with his body.

  * * * *

  Seb’s feral kiss only emphasized his words. But how could she believe what he’d said? How could he think she–Amy Somers, size eighteen–was a sexy goddess? He had to have been lying.

  But even lying for her was admirable. The way he’d stood up to Tim…this man was the stuff of fantasies. What woman wouldn’t fall in love with him? Don’t think of it. Even if he was here in New York, she still felt like she had him on borrowed time. Sooner or later, the fantasy had to end.

  But not now. Not today.

  Curving her lips into a smile, she clutched at his shoulders, throwing herself into the kiss. His hands roamed her body. He traced her spine, only to end cupping her rear. She felt his straining erection against her stomach. After everything he’d said, she wanted to believe that she meant so much to him. She wanted more of the magical time they’d shared in New Orleans. Breaking away, she took tiny steps backward, heading toward the bedroom.

  Seb followed without complaint.

  He nudged her onto the bed, covering her with his body. He felt right. She’d been in this apartment for twenty-four hours, but only now did she feel like she’d come home. His weight enflamed her lust. Balancing on one arm, he used the other to fondle her breast while he kissed her senseless.

  Would she ever get enough of this man? He tasted of coffee, heady and rich. Running her hands over his back, she found the hem of his shirt and tugged it up. He shed it quickly and returned to her mouth.

  The sight of his chest sent a jolt of bald need to her core. God, was he ever sexy. Too sexy. She might come just from the novelty of being able to touch him. As she explored his chest, he gave a short-lived, agonized groan.

  “Cher…”

  While he nibbled on her neck, she struggled for breath. “Condom,” she gasped, hoping to speed him along.

  “Where?”

  “Check the nightstand.”

  Cool air flooded over her fevered skin as he left her. She felt the loss of his weight acutely. Fortunately, he seemed equally as affected. He sifted through the drawer with frantic movements. Closing it, he opened the drawer underneath and paused.

  With a wicked gleam in his eye, he pulled out a long, purple vibrator still in its pack
aging. “Look what we have here.”

  Amy bolted into a sitting position. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. “That isn’t mine. I don’t know how… Hannah. She must have stuck it in there.”

  Seb’s grin didn’t falter. “Mighty kind of her. She even left us batteries.” He ripped open the package. “I’ll have fun with this.”

  Amy bit her lip at the possessive look in his eye. As he crawled back onto the bed, she wanted to edge away. Instead, she held herself still. After inserting the batteries, he flicked on the vibrator. A whirring sound filled the air. Her pussy clenched in answer. No one had ever used a vibe on her. But if it brought that gleeful gleam to Seb’s eye, he could do whatever he wanted.

  She still wore her clothes, the gray shirt and sweatpants that she’d dragged on this morning. Seb made quick work of those, leaving her only in her underwear. Amy wore her own creations–and for that, she was doubly glad right now. A sweat suit might not have been very sexy but a red lace bra and briefs held infinite appeal. As her clothes dropped to the floor, she pushed herself onto one elbow, thrusting her chest out to make a better impression. With a hungry expression in his eyes, Seb descended.

  His mouth devoured hers as he traced her curves with the vibrator. The buzzing tightened her nipples, until they scraped the lace fabric of her bra with every shallow breath. She clenched her thighs together. She needed that toy someplace else, but was afraid to ask.

  Seb leaned down to tongue the sensitive shell of her ear. She shivered with each pass of his tongue. Cool air played over her bare nipples. When had he undone her bra? The thought fled her mind as he teased her puckered areola with the toy. The vibrations tightened each and every one of her muscles. Her pussy wept, begging for the long, thick object. Amy whimpered.

  “Seb, please. Don’t tease.”

  He moved his mouth over her neck. Even though she couldn’t see his face, she felt his smile. He was enjoying her state of arousal. Maybe she should turn the tables. Did she have the courage?

  But then he moved the vibrator from her breasts, over her stomach to the junction of her thighs. The pleasure overwhelmed her. With an involuntary cry, she went limp on the bed, completely at his mercy. He latched onto one of her nipples as he skillfully swirled the toy around her clit.

  Dear God. It was a plastic miracle.

  When he lifted the toy, her hips bucked off the bed in protest. Fortunately, he had a goal in mind. His thumbs curled around the waistband of her underwear, pulling them off. Before they even hit the floor, he pressed the vibrator to her folds again.

  Feeling it skin to skin was almost too much to bear. Now she was squirming just as much to get away as to increase the friction. Seb directed the tool over her pussy lips and around her clit, not quite touching where she wanted him to.

  “Seb!”

  He rewarded her plea by easing the toy into her channel. Amy’s lungs seized from the pleasure. She forced herself to breathe as he started up a tantalizing rhythm. All the while, she couldn’t hold back her moans. She didn’t even know what she was saying–probably his name. It didn’t matter. Just as long as he didn’t stop.

  He shimmied down between her thighs as he continued to drive her insane with pleasure. Then she felt the first flick of his tongue on her clit. She convulsed around the vibrator.

  He didn’t stop. Instead, he settled in to bring her to another swift orgasm. Wave after wave of ecstasy crashed over her, so strong she couldn’t tell where one stopped and another began. If she’d been coherent, she would be begging him to stop. She couldn’t take so much pleasure.

  Eventually, she drifted back to Earth. Seb had switched the vibrator off, though he still applied lazy kisses to the inside of her thighs. “How was that, cher?”

  She didn’t have words for him. Instead, she fixed him with a look she hoped was every bit as hungry as the one he’d given her before vibrating her brains out. “It’s your turn now. I want to be in control.” She bit her lip. Would he let her? Would he mind?

  Surprisingly, he flopped onto his back, spreading his arms to either side of him in invitation. “We still don’t have a condom.”

  Amy smiled. “We don’t need one.”

  She straddled his legs, kissing a path over his chest and stomach as she fumbled with his belt. When she pulled it free, she quickly stripped off his jeans and underwear. Then she returned to him, stretching out beside his legs.

  He watched her, the anticipation apparent in his gaze. Slowly, she lowered her mouth to his engorged cock. She took him until his head brushed the back of her throat. His salty, musky taste drove her wild.

  His groans spurred her on as she set a fast rhythm, hoping to bring him a fraction of the ecstasy he’d given her. Strangely, he didn’t try to control her movements. He didn’t even fist his hands in her hair. Tim had always done that. He’d always controlled her. When she pulled away, teasing the crown of Seb’s penis with her tongue, he still didn’t try to hurry her along. A quick glance showed his eyes screwed shut, his hands fisted in the coverlet.

  The head of his penis twitched against her tongue, urging her to resume her pace. She ran her tongue along the prominent veins just beneath the crown. He lifted his hips in a silent plea. Giving in, she sucked him into her mouth. The salty taste of him intensified as her head bobbed. With one hand, she cupped his heavy sac.

  With a strangled curse, he came. His seed coated her tongue. She lapped it up, savoring the taste, the foreign words he crooned as he stroked her hair. She wrung every last groan from him. When he’d fallen limp, she gave in to the exhaustion beckoning just out of reach. Crawling up beside him, she settled in the curve of his arm, and surrendered to a sleep filled with dreams of Seb whispering his love for her.

  Chapter 7

  “Come out now, cher.”

  With trepidation curling her stomach, Amy stepped from the bedroom. The scene before her only emphasized the fact that this was too good to be true. A cloth covered her coffee table, laden with flower petals and scented candles. More candles glowed throughout the room, lending an intimate atmosphere. In the center, Seb waited with an anxious expression.

  She smiled. “It’s lovely.”

  Too lovely. He’d been treating her like what he’d called her–a goddess. In front of her stood a drop-dead sexy, thoughtful, attentive man. After knowing him for less than a week, she’d fallen head over heels in love. But guys like him just didn’t pay attention to pudgy bank tellers. He hadn’t made any mention of returning to New Orleans, though she knew he’d have to eventually. After the fond way he’d spoken of his family, he would never consider moving away.

  Someday soon, she would lose her knight in shining armor. And she was afraid.

  Shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans, Seb shrugged. “We never had our date.”

  Her chest ached. How perfect was this man?

  “When you said you had a surprise, I thought you were going to cook dinner or something. You didn’t have to go through all this trouble.”

  “‘Course I did, cher. You’re worth it.” Reaching out a hand, he guided her to the sofa and urged her to sit. He dropped into place beside her. With a grin, he added, “Besides, the only dish I can make is jambalaya. I ordered a pizza.”

  “Sounds good.”

  They settled into the couch to watch the movie he’d chosen. An action film, thank goodness. If he’d chosen a romantic comedy, she would have screamed. Nobody was that perfect. His strong body cushioned her left side, and she leaned into him gladly. Halfway through the movie, the buzzer rang.

  Seb sprang to his feet. “That’ll be the pizza, cher. I’ll get it. You stay here.”

  Before she could say a word in protest, he pressed the button to let in whoever was on the ground floor, and dashed out of the apartment. Suspicious, Amy crept to the door and eased it open. Just why was he so eager to run out?

  He waited by the elevator for the delivery man, clearly impatient. He alternated between drumming his fingers on his thighs
and pacing. When the elevator dinged, he fished out a wad of bills before the doors slid all the way open. He made the switch with the delivery man, opening the pizza box to check inside.

  “Hungry, big boy?”

  Amy froze. She knew that throaty purr. But why was Hannah in this apartment building? Unless… Crap! It’s Thursday! Ladies’ night out.

  Hannah swaggered from the elevator, letting the doors slide shut on the delivery man. She brushed against Seb on the way by, probably on purpose. Amy wilted. Hannah was dressed to impress in high heels and a sinfully short, form-fitting dress. Petite and with killer curves, she was Amy’s exact opposite–the type of woman to attract any man. Especially a man like Seb.

  Don’t watch. Just close the door. But the morbid, masochistic side of Amy stood frozen, even as her eyes watered.

  Giving Seb a very pointed once-over, Hannah said, “Save some of that for me. I’m going on a wild girl’s night, but if you play your cards right, I’ll sneak away nice and early.”

  Seb glanced at her as he tucked the pizza lid back into place. God, Amy, just shut the door. Lock it. You shouldn’t watch. Even if Hannah had no idea who she was talking to, this might ruin their friendship. And Amy loved Hannah.

  Losing her best friend and Seb? That would be catastrophic.

  But Seb stepped away. “Sorry, darlin’. I’ve got a girlfriend.”

  Upon hearing his words, Hannah clapped a hand over her mouth.

  What, was she that astonished that a man wouldn’t want her? To be honest, Amy couldn’t quite believe it herself. Who would turn down Hannah? Seb would, apparently.

  And for Amy. The thought bolstered her ego just a little, even if she couldn’t quite comprehend it.

  In a voice so muffled by her hand, Amy could scarcely make out her words, Hannah said, “Please, please tell me you’re not from New Orleans.”

  “Nawlins,” Seb said, correcting her pronunciation. “And yes. I am.”

  “Shit! Your girlfriend, that’s Amy, right?” She didn’t even wait for Seb’s nod of agreement before she punched the elevator button. Waving her hands, Hannah said, “Please, just forget I said that. Any of it. Forget I met you. And whatever you do, don’t tell Amy. Oh, God. I didn’t know, I swear.”