by Kali Argent
“Your skin is so soft.” He ghosted his fingers down her arm to the wrist, then pressed his palm flat against her belly. “I could touch you forever.”
He dipped his head, whispering his lips across her nape, and she trembled. He kissed up the side of her neck to nip at her earlobe, and she gasped. His tongue darted out, swirled over the bite to soothe the sting, and she moaned.
When his hand tracked lower on her stomach, caressing her skin in slow, hesitant brushes, she couldn’t fight it any longer.
Spinning toward him, she framed his face between her hands and attacked his mouth with a passion she’d kept bottled up for too long. With a masculine groan, Rafe kissed her back just as feverishly and lifted her into his arms before stumbling backward toward his bedroom.
Fire burned through Cecily’s veins, and moisture slicked her skin. A familiar but forgotten ache started in her lower belly and moved southward, intensifying into a deep throb with each stroke of Rafe’s tongue against her own. Tangling her legs around his waist, she arched against him, silently begging for one more taste, one more touch.
Nudging the door open with his foot, he carried her into the bedroom. His arms locked around her like steel bands, holding her tightly as he fell onto the mattress and rolled her beneath him. Forearms braced on the bed, he loomed above her, silent and unmoving, just watching her.
“Rafe?”
In answer, he dropped his head and captured her mouth again, thrusting his tongue between her lips. It was a kiss of need and promise, of an unspoken desire finally realized, and it consumed her.
Accepting him into the cradle of her hips with a contented sigh, she wound her arms around his neck and slid her fingers through the curls at his nape. Her breasts tingled where her skin met with Rafe’s, and the brush of his chest hair against her nipples caused them to harden to tight peaks.
The stubble on his jaw both tickled and aroused as he kissed down her neck and over her collarbone, ending in the shallow valley just below her sternum. Then, he reversed his trek, tracing his tongue along the swell of her right breast before capturing her sensitive nipple between his lips.
Bowing up from the bed, she arched into his mouth with a heady moan and held him close as her pulse throbbed between her legs, but he wouldn’t be hurried. He took his time, caressing and kissing every inch of her in leisurely exploration. Every stroke of his fingers fanned the flames of desire, and every touch of his lips made her ache.
When one of those talented hands brushed against her core, she nearly came undone. Desperate with need and wound tight with anticipation, she didn’t know how much more of his seduction she could withstand.
“Please.” She’d never begged for anything in her life, but she was too far gone to be embarrassed by it now. “Rafe, please.”
Parting her folds, he dipped inside her entrance with one finger to test her readiness. He thrust slowly, his eyes falling closed as a deep, satisfied groan rumbled through his chest, but he didn’t linger.
“Don’t move,” he ordered before rolling away from her.
She wasn’t going anywhere. Even if she could move—which she highly doubted right then—she was exactly where she wanted to be.
Tracking his movements as he stomped across the room to his dresser, she couldn’t stop the sigh that bubbled up through her lips. Long and thick, with the perfect plumb-shaped crown, his erection jutted proudly from a nest of coarse curls, bouncing with every step he took. Damn, he was gorgeous, and she could hardly believe he was hers.
Removing a single, foil envelope from the top drawer of his dresser, he ripped the packet open with his teeth. Then, he tossed the packaging to the floor, letting it fall where it may, and rolled the latex down his cock as he made his way back to the bed.
With deliberate slowness, he licked his way up her body, lavishing her with attention before taking her mouth in another possessive kiss that stole her breath and curled her toes. He braced one hand on the mattress beside her head and dipped the other between them, finding her entrance unerringly and sliding inside once again.
Cecily moaned into his mouth and arched up from the bed, feeling his hard length sliding along the crease of her thigh. Despite his obvious excitement, he still touched her gently, unhurriedly, and she trembled from his languid kisses and teasing strokes.
She was done with slow and gentle.
Biting down on his bottom lip, she tugged at it as she dropped her head back to the pillow. “Now, Rafe. I don’t want to wait any longer.”
Moonlight spilled into the room from a part in the curtains, bathing his face in its silvery glow and reflecting in his dark eyes. His nostrils flared, his brow furrowed, and his expression turned feral as he positioned himself at her opening.
“Be sure. This isn’t something you can take back.”
“I’m sure.” She’d never been surer of anything in her life.
Hooking his free arm behind her knee, he sank into her with a low groan, burying himself to the hilt in one forceful plunge.
Fisting her hands in the soft comforter, Cecily tensed, crying out at the invasion. Jesus, he was big, and she swore she could feel his heartbeat throbbing inside her.
Rafe stilled, his face a mask of worry as he waited for her to adjust to his size. “Are you okay?”
But he hadn’t hurt her. Quite the opposite. “More,” she insisted, her voice harsh and throaty. “Move.”
Mercifully, he needed no further invitation. “Damn, you’re tight,” he mumbled against her ear as he plunged into her with a steady—but building—rhythm. “I’m not going to last.”
Cecily couldn’t think. She couldn’t breathe. All she could do was feel, and damn, she felt everything. Fire licked at her skin, her pussy throbbed, and a low buzz started in her ears, signaling her impending release.
“Yes,” she panted, rocking her hips to meet his thrusts. “Yes.”
The time for words passed as their coupling turned hard and frenzied, rough and demanding. Every hard thrust pushed her closer to the edge. Every whispered word made her tremble. If she’d known how explosive they’d be together, she never would have made him wait for so long.
Rafe lifted her leg higher, changing the angle, and on the next hard plunge, she shattered. Every muscle in her body locked down, her pussy clamped around his thick length, and she yelled his name loud enough to wake the neighbors.
With a strangled curse, Rafe thrust twice more, then stilled, shuddering through his own climax as he followed her into oblivion.
Once the franticness passed, he lowered her leg back to the mattress and bent to kiss her lips as he eased from her gently. “I’ll be right back.”
He disappeared down the hallway, and she heard the sound of running water in the bathroom. She should probably get up as well, but she didn’t want to move. Not yet.
When he returned, he fell onto the bed beside her, gathering her into his arms and pulling a blanket over them. More relaxed than she’d felt in ages, Cecily curled into his side and kissed his chest, right over his heart. It would be so easy to close her eyes and drift into a comfortable sleep, but they needed to talk about what had just happened.
“This changes things,” she whispered.
“Not unless you want it to,” Rafe answered, his voice just as quiet.
He always knew just what to say to calm her anxiety, but she didn’t need him to make things okay for her this time. “What do you want?”
His arms tightened around her. “I already have everything I want.” Lowering his head, he took her lips in a tender kiss filled with promise. “I love you, Cecily, and it’s okay if you don’t feel the same way, because I’m not going anywhere. Not until you tell me to go.”
Her heart beat too fast, and her throat felt tight, but she was done being afraid. “You lied, you know.”
He pulled away far enough to look her in the eye. “Oh, yeah? How’s that?”
“You said you’d never let me fall.”
His smile lit up the e
ntire room. “When exactly did you fall, Miss Baker?”
She smiled back at him through trembling lips. “The moment I met you.”
EPILOGUE
Christmas Eve, One Year Later…
“He’s here.” Slipping into Cecily’s bedroom, Melissa closed the door behind her with a quiet snick. “Oh.” One hand went to her mouth, and she pressed the other to her chest. “Oh, wow.”
Tugging at the sleeve of her dress, Cecily glanced up at her sister with a pinched expression. “It’s not too much?”
The crimson dress hugged every curve and swell of her body, and the hem barely reached to mid-thigh. The single sleeve wrapped around her arm from shoulder to wrist, and the neckline plunged diagonally across her chest, leaving the other arm and shoulder bare. She’d fallen in love with it the minute she’d seen herself in the mirror of the store’s dressing room, but now, she didn’t know.
“It’s too much,” she insisted. “I’m going to change.”
“Cecily.” Crossing the room, Melissa took her by both hands and waited for Cecily to meet her gaze. “You look stunning.” Her smile brightened. “Breathe.”
She couldn’t believe the change a year had made in her baby sister. Gone was the naïve, reckless girl who had pushed Cecily at every turn. Standing before her was a strong, capable, and confident woman. As much as Cecily hated being so far away from her, she had to admit that Chicago had been good for Melissa.
There hadn’t been another man in her life since her brief fling with Daniel. She hadn’t sworn off men completely or anything so dramatic. She’d simply been taking time to focus on herself, and honestly, she’d never looked happier. Still, Cecily hoped her sister found love one day.
When she was older.
Much older.
Like fifty.
Cecily had to laugh at herself. She knew she wasn’t being fair, but she couldn’t help it. Melissa would always be her baby sister, and no man would ever be good enough for her.
“What are you laughing about?”
Cecily shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just really proud of you, Mel.”
Her expression softened, and moisture welled in her eyes as she pulled Cecily into a tight hug. “Okay.” With a loud exhale, Melissa released her and took a step back. “Ready to do this?”
Turning, Cecily picked up the black, velvet box on her nightstand and held it to her chest. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“I’ll meet you guys at the club.” Melissa grabbed her again in a brief, crushing hug. “Good luck.”
Dating one of the best bartenders in the city had its perks—like access to Electric Mist’s annual Christmas Eve party. Tickets for the event cost a fortune, and yet, they sold out every year within hours of going on sale. Cecily didn’t really see what all the hype was about, but she had to admit she’d had fun the previous year. Then again, she always had the best time with Rafe, no matter where they went or what they did.
Closing her fist around the small box, she tucked her hand behind her back and followed Melissa down the hallway to the living room. The instant she saw Rafe, her breath caught, and she stumbled in her open-toed, gold heels.
“Whoa.” Reaching out, Rafe caught her by the elbow to steady her. “You and those damn shoes will be the death of me.” With his hand still on her elbow, he leaned in to kiss her cheek. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Keeping the jewelry box hidden behind her back, she reached up with her free hand to smooth one side of his bowtie. “You don’t look so bad yourself, Mr. Sorento.”
In her mind, she was already planning how best to get him out of that tuxedo at the end of the night.
“Okay, I’m going to take off now.” With all the subtlety of a brick, Melissa grabbed her coat and darted toward the door.
“Oh,” Rafe said, “I thought we were all going to go together.”
“I need to make a stop before everything closes,” Melissa lied. “I’ll meet you there.” She waved, then hurried out the door before Rafe could argue further.
Rafe shook his head, his mouth turned down in a frown. “What was that about?”
“Rafe, look at me.”
He turned toward her instantly, his expression clearing. “You have my undivided attention.”
Cecily took several deep breaths to try to steady her racing heart. It didn’t work.
“I’m having this problem that I think you can help me with.”
“Anything.” So serious.
“See, I’ve gotten used to you stealing all the covers at night and hogging the bed. I’ve even gotten used to your snoring.”
His brow furrowed. “Okay…”
“I’ve gotten so used to those things, that I can’t really sleep without them.” She moved her hand in between them, presenting the box she held between her fingers. “I love you, Rafe, and I don’t want to spend even a single day without you.” Holding the box up, she flipped the lid open, revealing the golden key nestled against black satin. “Will you move in with me?”
Rafe took the box from her and removed the key, turning it one way, then the other, watching as the lights from the Christmas tree glinted off the surface. “You’re serious?”
“I’m serious.” She wasn’t ready to walk down the aisle in a white dress—yet—but she knew she wanted to go to sleep with him every night and wake up next to him every morning. “So? Will you?”
Placing the key and the box onto the kitchen bar, he lifted her into his arms and spun her in a circle. “I will absolutely move in with you.” He slid her down his body until her feet touched the floor before kissing her breathless. “I am so totally gone for you, woman.”
They kissed again, sweet and slow, and when they parted, Cecily sighed. “We should go.” In the three minutes it took her to pull on her coat and find her clutch, she managed to snag her heels in the carpet twice. “Maybe I should change shoes.”
Rafe laughed as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against his side. “Just lean on me.”
THE END
The SERENDIPITY Series
Lean on Me
Stay with Me
Someone Like Me (Coming Soon)
For More Titles by Kali Argent, Visit:
www.kaliargent.com/library
STAY WITH ME
Serendipity, Book 2
For the past four weeks, Starla had poured her heart and soul into Tuner’s new ad campaign, agonizing over every minute detail. She’d hand-selected which products to highlight, written and discarded slogan after slogan, and had even created the graphics herself. The ad had been her baby. More than that, it had been designed to secure her the coveted corner office with the title of Creative Marketing Director of Rufio Advertising to go along with it.
Now, she’d be lucky to even have a job come Monday morning.
“What do you mean?” Turner didn’t sound angry or even concerned, only curious. “How is the campaign gone?”
“My files, my graphics, my photos, it’s all gone.” Placing her computer case on the tabletop, she tried to open it, but her hands shook so badly, she couldn’t grasp the zipper. “I don’t know what happened. Even my backups have disappeared.”
Strong but gentle hands covered hers, stilling her fumbling movements. “Starla, look at me,” he coaxed. He nodded when she complied, his big, chocolate-brown eyes full of kindness and understanding. “Forget the computer for a minute.” Leaning forward in his seat, he rested his elbows on his knees and held both of her hands in a light grip. “Start from the beginning and tell me what happened.”
His warm smile eased the constriction in her chest, allowing her to take another deep, calming breath. “Last night, I wanted to add a few last-minute touches to your ad before I presented it for approval tomorrow. When I opened the program, I discovered all of my source files had been deleted from my laptop.”
“And you said your backups are gone, too?”
Starla nodded. “The files have been erased from my cloud drive
, as well as my external hard drive.” She’d been so careful, saving everything in triplicate to safeguard against exactly this kind of catastrophe. “I’m terribly sorry about this, Turner. I don’t know what to say.”
“I just don’t think that ad is going to work.” Releasing her, he sat back in his seat and shook his head firmly. “I’ve decided to go in a completely different direction, so we’ll need to start from scratch.” He held his hands out to the sides, waving them in big, animated gestures. “I need more…blue.” His eyes crinkled at the corners, and he threaded his fingers through his untamed, sandy-brown hair as he nodded. “Yes, more blue. And…pirates. Lots of pirates.”
A torrent of emotion whirled inside her—confusion, amusement, and finally…relief. Toying with the strap on her laptop case, Starla smiled in spite of herself.
“You haven’t even seen the campaign. How can you be sure you don’t like it?”
“I bet it’s great, but it’s just not what I want.”
“It really was quite good.”
Turner smoothed his hands down his white, cotton T-shirt, and drummed his fingers over his flat stomach. “I have no doubt. Changing my mind at the eleventh hour must have put a real kink in your workflow. I’m sorry, and I’ll understand if you don’t want to work with me anymore.”
Starla’s belly fluttered, and moisture slicked her palms when his lips stretched into a devilish grin. Clearing her throat, she turned her head, trying to hide the blush heating her cheeks.
During her nine years in advertising, she’d worked with dozens of attractive, successful men. Some of them had even been charming, in their own way. Not one of them had tempted her to toss aside propriety, nor had she ever thought of them outside of work.
None of them, except Turner McCord.
At first, she’d been frustrated with his inability to take anything seriously. He’d joked and teased throughout their first meeting while offering little in the way of helpful feedback. When she’d inquired about his company’s brand, he’d shrugged. So, she’d moved on to less specific topics, asking him instead what image he wanted Neverland to portray. To this, he’d shrugged again and laughed at her, saying, “It’s just a toy store.”
