by Selena Kitt
“Maybe. Life is different out here. You can live every minute. They don’t fly past you.” He smiled, shook his head. “That probably doesn’t make any sense.”
“Actually, it does.”
Our gazes locked.
My heart skittered around in my chest.
“Daryl.” His head tipped, moved down. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but dammit, I want you.”
At the sound of torment in his voice, I threw my arms around his neck. He hooked an arm around my waist and whirled around so I was backed up against the railing and his body was holding me there. His mouth descended upon mine, his tongue shoved its way in, and within seconds, I was writhing against him.
A little groan vibrated against my chest, echoed in our joined mouths. In response, a pulse of erotic heat washed through my body. Swirls of desire curled in my deepest parts, making me tremble. I felt myself losing control. My mind was shutting down, my senses focusing on just one thing. One need.
More. I needed more.
It was my turn to moan now, as Tevin cupped my head and held me in place. He deepened the kiss, tongue stroking deep inside my mouth, filling it with sweet, intoxicating flavor. Within seconds I was ready to surrender to the fierce heat simmering through my body. My knees were getting soft, wobbly. My heart was thumping so hard it almost hurt. And the heat was nearly unbearable. A whimper slipped up my throat as I hooked my fingers into claws and raked them down his chest.
He broke the kiss, stared down at me with eyes full of male hunger. “I’m sorry, Daryl. I can’t let you go now. I won’t.” He scooped me off my feet.
We kissed again as he carried me back down the stairs. Once we were inside a bedroom, he set me on my feet, but I was too shaky to stand. I hung onto his neck, arms wrapped tightly, and lost myself in another demanding kiss.
Oh. My. God.
I had been kissed lots of times, but never like this, like he was staking a claim, conquering me. His mouth did things to mine that made me breathless and eager for more. And his hands, they did too, as they slowly explored my body, one inch at a time. I felt my knees start to buckle then his strong arms catch my waist. Still kissing me, he walked me toward the bed. I stumbled as I followed his lead, eyes closed, head spinning. He was holding me. He wouldn’t let me fall.
I felt myself being lowered down, and then the mattress was under me, and his large, strong body was over me, bent legs straddling mine. The sound of water lapping at the side of the boat blended with the husky rasp of our deep breaths, creating a sexy song that only amplified my need.
Oh God, I wanted this man. I wanted him desperately. But I shouldn’t. I was going to regret this.
I licked my lips, and his gaze locked on my mouth. “Tevin?” I whispered.
The corners of his lips curled. With his free hand, he cupped my breast. The air blasted out of my lungs, and my spine tightened. That only pushed my boob into his hand more. His lips parted slightly, and I stared at them, wishing I could taste them again.
“Kiss me,” I pleaded.
“I’m the one who gives the commands.” He squeezed my breast, and I whimpered. I had never had sex with a man who was so domineering. It was insanely sexy. Thrilling.
And a little scary too.
What was I doing? What the hell was I doing?
“Undress,” he demanded, sitting upright to give me some room to move.
But I didn’t. I couldn’t. I was frozen. I was confused. I was torn.
His brows furrowed.
Every inch of my body was vibrating with need, I wanted Tevin so badly. I wanted him to touch me, to kiss me, to stroke away this horrible ache pounding through my body. But I couldn’t let that happen. And I couldn’t let this go on for one more minute. If I did, how would I ever face him again? How could I watch him fall in love with some other woman? How?
Pushing my shoulders off the mattress, I said, with my heartbeat pounding in my ears, “I…think I should go. Now.”
He fisted my wrists, and down I fell, flat on the mattress. He pinned them down, above my head with one hand and stroked my cheek with the other. “You don’t want to leave.”
I was dizzy and conflicted. And, ohmygod, my body was burning so badly. I shook my head.
My inner muscles clenched, and I felt the slickness of my damp panties. He was right. I didn’t want to leave. But that didn’t mean I was ready for this. “I…I…should…”
Continuing to hold both my wrists, he let the index finger of his free hand take a little trip down my body. It meandered between my breasts, down my stomach, lower, over my covered mound to one thigh. My skirt had scooted up so it wasn’t hard for that finger to find its way under the fabric.
“Tevin.”
“Tell me to stop and I will.” His fingertip grazed the sodden crotch of my panties, and my face heated but I didn’t tell him to stop. I knew I should. But I couldn’t. “Wet.” He curled his finger, working it under the leg band. My sex heated even more. I knew what he was going to do. I knew what was coming, but still an electrical current charged through my system when that first touch came. He eased his hand out from under my skirt, lifted it to his mouth and slipped his index finger between his lips. “Sweet. Delicious. I want more.” Still holding my wrists with one hand, he pushed my top up, and I watched his expression darken with hard male hunger as more and more of my skin was exposed. By the time he had the garment up under my chin, I was squirming and my whole body was burning. Hot and cold. Tight. And breathless.
I should leave. Right now. Tell him to stop. Say it!
He turned his attention to my breasts, hooked a finger under the bow sewn between the cups of my bra and gave it a tug. “Time for this to go.” He slid a flattened hand under my back. With a snap, my bra was unhooked. And in a heartbeat, it was gone, and my hands were back up over my head, I was struggling to pull them free so I could cover myself. “Beautiful,” he murmured as he weighed each breast in his hand. His fingertips flicked over my nipple and little blades of heat seared through me, straight to my core.
I watched him touch me, torn, confused, overwhelmed. My body craved this man’s touch like never before. This was so new to me, this almost unbearable need. I was hot and tight all over. My panties were sodden. My head was spinning.
“Let’s get rid of the rest.” Without releasing my wrists, he tugged my skirt over my hips.
As I lay there, letting him take off my skirt, I thought, I need to leave. Right now.
As he pulled my panties down, I thought, this is a big mistake.
And as I was finally left lying on the bed completely nude, I thought, if you don’t stop this now, you’re going to get hurt.
But then he touched my face and looked at me with those dark eyes, and I couldn’t think about anything but having him inside me, filling me, stroking away the ache between my legs.
He’d done it.
I had surrendered.
Somehow, he must have sensed my decision. Before I realized it, he was undressed. I had never seen such a beautiful man in real life before. His skin had a healthy golden glow to it. The slanted sunlight coming through the window struck the surface, emphasizing the deep groves cutting his stomach in flexing, rippling sections. His chest was mostly smooth-skinned as well. Only a few dark coarse hairs curled in the center, between the world’s most scrumptious pecs. His shoulders looked strong and able, as if they could carry the weight of the world. And his arms were thick, biceps and triceps bulging as he moved, tattoos glistening in the weakening sunlight.
I was staring at my dream man. And, shock of all shocks, he was staring down at me as if I were his dream girl.
He climbed on top of me, his hips wedged between my spread legs. I was trapped beneath him, not completely powerless, but almost.
My insides clenched as he fingered my slick folds, preparing them for what was about to come. The finger, the one teasing, tormenting me, delved deeper, finding my entry and piercing it roughly. I bucked, blood surging through
my body. “Tevin!”
“You are so tight.” He added a second finger, and I cried out. My insides clenched around the invading digits, warm juices easing his entry as they slid deeper before gliding out. He pushed them in again, and out, knuckles scraping against the spot inside that made me quiver. Already, the first tremors of an orgasm were quaking through my body, but I fought it, wanting the sweet torment to last.
He groaned as I clenched my inner muscles again. “You are more beautiful than I ever imagined,” he said, his voice rough.
“So are you.” I traced the line bisecting his torso, from chest down to his belly button.
A rumble vibrated beneath my fingertip as he made a little growling sound. “I want to do things to you…so many things.”
“Maybe I want you to do those things, too.”
“Maybe?” He flicked a fingertip over one of my nipples and I trembled.
A sparkle glittered in his eyes. “I would say that’s more than a maybe.” His brows crinkled a little as he gently pinched my nipple, sending a tiny blade of pleasure pain zipping through my body. “But there’s one thing.”
“What’s that?” I asked on a sigh.
“Condom,” he mumbled.
“I don’t--“
“I do.” He pushed himself upright and reached for his pants. Once he had them in his hands, he jerked out his wallet out of the pocket and flipped it open.
I closed my eyes and listened to the crinkle of a condom wrapper as he tore it open. My fingers curled into fists. Oh God, this was really happening. I was about to have sex with Tevin Page. Premier’s newest client. My newest client. And to hell with the consequences.
To hell with it all.
I wanted him. He was mine. Mine, dammit! I deserved a little happiness too. Even if it wouldn’t last forever. Even if it might not last more than one night.
One incredible night.
Yes, that was what I would have. One night with a man who inspired my dreams.
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I was aware of every breath I drew in. I was aware of every sensation, the taste of his kiss still lingering on my lips, the quiet but oh so sexy sound of his lips smacking gently as he kissed the fullness of my breast.
When his tongue flicked over my nipple, little blades of heat pierced through my center. It was as if a current charged through me, from my nipple to my core. Every nerve in between was sizzling, and all I could think about was what he would do next. What glorious pleasure would he introduce me to next?
Within a handful of excruciating seconds, he was pushing his way past my sodden tissues, entering me slowly, inch by glorious inch. I stretched to accommodate his wide girth. He was thick. Long. Perfect.
He lifted my thighs and forced them wide apart. The friction of his forward thrust was absolutely glorious. In he stroked, and out. Slowly, his movements so controlled I fought against his control, wrapped my legs around his hips to deepen the strokes. Our bodies worked together perfectly, fit together perfectly, as if they’d been made to complete each other. Waves of pleasure washed through me with every touch, every kiss, and every intimate stroke. I’d never felt so beautiful or so desired. The way he looked at me, whispered my name, as he drove deep inside made me feel like I was the only woman for him. I was his. He was mine.
Gradually, those waves grew stronger as I writhed beneath him, my hips gliding forward and back in time with his thrusts. My eyelids drifted shut as I became overwhelmed with the pleasure. One more stroke. No two. So hot. So tight. I trembled and whimpered and begged until finally…at last…
“Yessss.” A white hot blaze swept through my body, igniting every nerve, from the tip of my toes to the top of my head. I convulsed around him so hard it almost hurt. I cried out his name as he surged forward and back, thrusting hard into me, driving toward his own release.
My orgasm had barely faded when I felt his member swell as he climaxed. My body still vibrating, I tumbled into another orgasm. I jerked and writhed and screamed as he pounded mercilessly into me, driving every drop of come from his body.
And then, he bent over me and laid his head on my chest. His semi-flaccid member remained buried deep inside me. Little twitches and tingles accompanied the warm afterglow of that mind-blowing experience.
I’d never come like that. I didn’t know it could feel that way.
“You are exquisite,” he said a few minutes later. He straightened, but only after giving me a sweet kiss on the chin. He grasped the base of his cock, holding the used condom in place and pulled out.
My first instinct was to cover myself.
My second, to throw on my clothes, go home and cry myself to sleep.
Yes, that had been the most intense sex of my life. But now that my head was clearing, I was becoming more and more confused.
Confusion quickly morphed into regret.
I’d made a mistake. A huge mistake.
Oh God, how was I going to sit there and watch him fall in love with someone else? How?
You have to get your head together.
I needed to leave.
My hands were shaking as I reached for my clothes. Fortunately, Tevin had his back to me. He was loping toward the bathroom, the used condom pinched between his fingers and thumb. He didn’t see my shaking hands.
By the time he returned, I had my bra, panties and skirt back on, and I was working on my top.
Still completely nude, and clearly comfortable with it, he sat beside me. “You’re getting dressed.”
“I…should go.” I tried to look him in the eye, but I couldn’t. I was so conflicted and upset with myself for what I’d done.
“Daryl.” He cupped my chin and lifted it. “Look at me.”
It took at least a minute for me to work up the strength to meet his gaze. “What?”
“What’s wrong?”
I forced a smile, or what I hoped would pass as a smile. “Nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. Tell me.”
I shook my head. My eyes were burning. So was my nose. Oh God, I was going to cry.
Hold it together. With Tevin looking on, waiting patiently for me to pull myself together, I took a few deep breaths.
“Daryl. Wow. Can’t say this has ever happened before. If you think I bring girls out here to screw all the time—“
“That’s not it.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“The problem is my job is to set you up with the woman of your dreams. How the hell am I going to do that now? After…after this? I don’t have casual sex. I don’t just screw for the sake of screwing.” I was doing it, holding back the tears. But barely. “Do you see now why I didn’t want to go out with you? Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“I would like to go home.”
“I’m sorry if I pushed you into doing something—“
“You didn’t push me. You didn’t have to. But that doesn’t mean this is going to be any easier. Honestly, it makes it worse. Because I don’t want to be your matchmaker. I don’t want you to find someone else you like better.” I covered my face and gritted my teeth. “Shitshitshit.”
“I think we should talk this out—“
“No. No more talking. It won’t do any good. Just take me home.”
His sigh was audible. Clearly he didn’t agree with me, that I should leave. “Okay. If that’s what you want, I’ll take you home right now. But we are going to talk about this later. I’ll call you. We’ll figure it out.”
“There’s nothing to figure out. You’re a client of Premier. I am an employee assigned to you. My job is to help you find your perfect match. If I can’t do that, then…well…”
“We talk about it later.”
“Don’t call me. Please, Tevin. I can see you’re trying to be nice about this, but the truth is you’re making things worse. The bottom line is I think you owe it to me to stop the games and let me out of our arrangement. You know I need my job. And you know I like you a lot more than
I should. I’m telling you, I’ll lose my job if my boss finds out what I’ve been doing. And I’m this close to telling her because it’s tearing me up inside, thinking about sitting through another fucking mixer and watching those other women drool all over you.”
“Okay. Fair enough. You don’t have to go on any more dates. I’m sorry. I never meant for things to get so out of hand. I just…wanted to spend time with you.”
As he drove me home, his words echoed in my head, over and over. I just wanted to spend time with you. When my head finally cleared, hours later, I realized he’d sounded as torn and conflicted and confused as me.
What the hell were we doing to each other? To ourselves?
Chapter 7
It took me roughly forty minutes for the truth to sink in. Forty minutes and dozens of phone calls.
Nobody was coming. Not one girl. Not even Clark, Katarina’s friend, who I had worked so hard to sign for this event. She’d been absolutely perfect for Tevin. Beautiful. Down to earth. Smart. Educated. And she didn’t care at all about money—which was why she’d been so perfect for him. While I’d secretly hated her a little for being so freaking perfect for Tevin, I had felt pretty good about finding such a wonderful match for him. Tonight he was supposed to be meeting his dream girl.
But everything seemed to have fallen apart. How was this possible? What happened? We had never had this happen before. Even the event last summer, during a power outage following a wicked summer storm. More than half of the girls scheduled had shown up for that one.
Tonight all of them had pulled a no-show. Every single one? What the hell happened?
Had Marguerite cancelled the event without telling me?
There had to be a logical explanation.
At the sound of the back door slamming, my heart rate kicked into double time. That had to be Marguerite.
Either I was about to get some answers, or I was going to be making up excuses left and right to appease her. God, I hoped she knew what was going on.
Aware that I was wringing my hands, I forced myself to lower them to my sides as I click-clacked down the hall toward her office. My thumping heartbeat pounded in my ears.
