by Sonya Weiss
Though her father wasn’t willing to stand up for what he’d done, she could, and somehow maybe her action of giving over the land could lead Mason toward healing from the past. He was a good man and he deserved to be set free from that blinding, consuming drive for revenge. She could do that. She could help to set Mason free.
…
The silence in his home unnerved him. He’d gotten used to having Olivia around. Used to listening and talking to her at the breakfast table. Used to coming home from the office and finding her sitting cross-legged on the sofa, sketchbook in hand, crumpled pages on the floor at her feet. Used to seeing her talking to his dog as if the Great Dane could understand design as she put the finishing touches on a dress.
He never thought he’d like the idea of having a woman living in his home, and he’d always avoided it in the past. But somehow, Olivia fit, and that she fit bothered him.
The front door opened, and wrestling with a large container on wheels, Olivia backed in butt-first.
“Need help?” he asked quietly.
She jumped and put a hand up to her hair to push it out of her face. “You startled me.” She looked tired.
“Did you go to Texas?” He took the handle of the container and pulled it into the house, maneuvering it against the wall. She nudged the door shut with her shapely rear and rested against it, her hands behind her back holding the doorknob.
“I did,” she said and something in her tone made his head snap up. Her voice was a mixture of sadness and determination.
“Is something wrong?”
She shook her head and gave him a smile. “Not for much longer, I hope.” Pulling at the front of her dress, she made a face. “I’m going to shower and change and then find something to eat.”
“We could go out,” Mason said, not knowing what made him offer, only knowing that he wanted to spend time in her company.
On the way down the hallway, she halted and looked at him over her shoulder. She thought for a second. “Casual?””
“Semiformal. I like the way you look in a slinky dress.”
She wagged her finger and gave him a sexy smile. “I’m not on the menu.”
“Pity. I think I would like tasting you.” He smiled when she shivered.
In a husky voice, she gave him a slow smile and said, “I’ll only be a few minutes.”
Mason watched the empty hallway long after Olivia walked away. There was a strange knot in the center of his chest whenever she crossed his mind. Something that wasn’t quite love but was a little stronger than just his desire for her. His nerves jangled; he turned away and headed to his own room to change. He stripped off the slacks and shirt he’d worn and reached for a navy-blue pin-striped suit.
When he was dressed, he headed for the living room and stopped cold the moment he saw her. What was she trying to do to him? Her hair was upswept with glittering pins on either side, her lips slightly parted and coated in bright red lipstick. She wore a fiery red hourglass dress with a long vee in the front that gave him a peek at the sides of her breasts.
With the pencil-thin black high heels she wore, she looked like she’d stepped straight from his fantasy. He could imagine her wearing nothing but those shoes and him. He could also imagine her in the shower, in his office, in his car…he blinked when she frowned.
“Pardon?”
Her lips curved upward slightly. “I asked if you were ready?”
What a loaded question. Literally. “Yes, I’m ready.” Clearing his throat, he opened the door and said, “Ladies first.” He couldn’t stop watching the sway of her hips as they walked out to the driveway. When she stopped abruptly, he was so captivated by the way she moved that he nearly ran into her. When she spun to face him, they were almost nose to nose.
“Sorry,” she said with a breathless laugh. “I don’t see your driver.”
“I thought we’d take one of my other cars.” He led the way to the garage and she followed. Indicating his collection, he said, “Take your pick.” He waited. He knew women. The flashier, the more expensive, the better. They always went for the Rolls-Royce.
Surprising him, she ignored the Rolls and pointed to a corner of the garage. “What’s under the cover?”
“It’s a 1968 Pontiac Firebird coupe.”
Eyes shining, she said, “Let’s take that one.”
“You like old cars?”
She winked. “I don’t know if it’s that I like old cars or if I just like cars with big engines.”
Mason pulled the cover off and placed it on a nearby shelf. When she moved around the car, stroking her fingers across the shiny blue of the hood, he swallowed.
She gave a reminiscent smile. “You had a Pontiac Firebird in school. I remember seeing it in the parking lot and around the town. It was so ugly with all the different-colored body pieces.”
“I was working on restoring that.” He closed the gap between them and tapped the hood. “Sometimes before a car can be made beautiful, you have to put up with a lot of ugly.” He tried to keep his mind on the conversation, but it was a losing battle with her this close. Raging with teenage testosterone, he’d once fantasized about the two of them having sex on the hood of that old car after watching her walk by with her friends.
She pulled her lower lip in her teeth. “Why don’t you get behind the wheel and pull the car out of the garage?”
“What?”
“Please.”
Shaking his head, he retrieved the key from the case on the wall and got into the driver’s seat. He pulled the car from the garage and watched in the rearview mirror as she strode up once he parked it. She leaned with her arms folded on the lowered passenger window, her dress dipping down to give him a good visual of her breasts, and said, “Mason Parker. You were always the one I wondered about.”
“Get in and then you won’t have to wonder.”
“Hmmm…I don’t know if you can top the first time we were together. Are you sure the delivery will match the reputation a second time around?”
“There’s one way to find out, sweet Olivia.”
She didn’t even debate before she slid into the passenger side, not stopping until she was in his lap, her back pressed against the steering wheel. “I was wrong in the house. I think I do want to be on the menu.” She rocked back and forth slowly.
Mason didn’t care what made her change her mind. He gripped the sides of her arms. “Sit still.”
Ducking her head, she placed a kiss against the side of his neck and murmured, “Why?”
His pulse quickened. “Because I’ve got a few things I want to show you.”
Her lips moved farther down, pressing against the base of his throat. “Oh? Like what?”
“Like this.” His hands came to rest on her thighs and he pushed the edge of the dress material up. His hard-on was already begging to slide into home base, but as far as he was concerned, the ball game hadn’t even begun yet. He ran his thumbs along the outer edges of her barely-there underwear, pushing in past the scrap of lace until he found the center of her body. Moving his thumbs, he constantly rotated them, slowly at first, then with mounting speed and pressure. She gasped as he touched her most intimate place and her back arched, thrusting her breasts out.
“Wow,” she said in a voice that cracked.
“Sweetheart, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
…
Olivia tried to think straight, but could barely remember her own name. She’d known on the flight back from Texas that unleashing his passion and coupling it with hers was going to happen again. She was tired of denying it, tired of fighting what her heart and body wanted. But she’d hoped that she’d be able to rein herself in until after they had a conversation about the past. There were some things she wanted to say to him. The very delicious present, however, wouldn’t be denied another minute. If he didn’t stop… She put her hands on his. “Mason…” She squirmed. “If you d-don’t stop…”
He kissed her hard, tangling his tongue with her
s. Pulling back, he said, “If you’ll recall, I’m a firm believer in a woman’s right to multiple orgasms.”
“Oh…I, um, I remember I liked that belief…” Olivia squeaked when Mason smiled and bowed his head to suck on her nipple through her dress. “But we should go inside and, um, behave like two civilized people and—”
“Civilized is overrated. Look at me, sweet Olivia,” he commanded. “I want to watch your eyes as you let go. I want you to look at me and know whose touch drives you crazy.”
“Mason.” She squirmed again and whimpered as the muscles in her thighs contracted.
“Yes?”
“I need…”
“And I’ll deliver, honey, over and over until you can’t move.”
His words rang in her mind, creating images that aroused her. When she scooted back on his lap, he raised his hips, keeping his erection pushed against her.
Olivia couldn’t hold out against the sensual onslaught of Mason’s touch. All her body’s nerve endings begged her to give in. She cried out, saying his name over and over, gripping his shoulders as Mason stroked her. “That’s right, honey,” he whispered.
Powerful. Mind-blowing. Did. The. Earth. Move.
When the waves of Olivia’s climax ended, she did her best not to pant. “That was—”
“An appetizer.” He kissed her tenderly. “The full course is next.”
“If this was just an appetizer, I think that I’m going to look forward to the meal,” Olivia managed to gasp out.
He opened the car door and got out, and Olivia scrambled out behind him, her legs still shaking. When she tried to reach for him, he grasped her wrists in one of his hands. “Not yet.” With his other hand, he pulled the top of her dress down, exposing her half bra.
“Mason, someone could see.”
“We’re too secluded for that.” He pushed aside the half bra and his gaze focused on her bare breasts.
Under his hungry gaze, Olivia’s breasts ached. More than anything, she wanted to feel Mason’s hard length inside her, have him take her over and over again. She wriggled free from his hold and slid her hands against his sides to yank his shirt free from his pants. Working her palms from his abdomen up to his chest, she whispered, “So rock-hard. I want to have your weight on me. I want to feel you inside me. I’ve wanted you for so long.”
He pulled her dress back up onto her shoulders. “Follow me.”
Olivia shook her head and crooked her finger. “Follow me.”
“Oh no, sweet Olivia, you can name the place and you can be on top next time. But for now, you just need to hold on.” With one quick move, he scooped her up into his arms and strode into his house, not stopping until he’d reached his bedroom.
Not wanting to let go, Olivia held on to the front of his shirt as he lowered her onto the king-size bed. He gave her a hard, possessive kiss and then pulled free.
Lifting herself up on one elbow, Olivia watched as he yanked off his shirt, popping the buttons free. Her gaze took in the broad expanse of his chest, the flat stomach leading down to…a very healthy bulge… She lifted her gaze to meet his knowing smile.
He kissed her and then unbuckled the thin leather belt, letting it and his pants fall to the floor.
Olivia had visited museums before and seen priceless works of art, but his body, standing naked except for his briefs, topped them all. She was so damn ready for him. Twisting an arm behind her back, she felt for the zipper of her dress before he stopped her.
“Let me.” Closing the space between them, he reached his hands behind her and eased the zipper down, taking the time to let his fingers skim the swell of her buttocks. Her mouth went dry. He kissed her bare shoulder exposed when he tugged the material down around her waist. “Do you know what I like about you, sweet Olivia?”
She slid her hands up and cupped her breasts. “I can give you two guesses.”
He laughed. “Nice, but I meant besides the obvious.”
“No, what?” Releasing her hold on her breasts, she reached for his briefs, sliding them down until he sprang free. She exhaled a shaky breath, and a flash of heat hit her between the thighs.
“I like that you’re a woman not afraid to be my equal.” He kissed her. “You’re not afraid to give as good as you get in any area, and I admire that.”
She kissed him and then lay back on the pillows. “Feel free to keep singing my praises.”
“I’d rather praise you with my hands.” He smiled and peeled her bra off, tossing it onto the floor, then removed her panties. When she was naked before him, his gaze traveled from the top of her body to her feet. “This view is far more breathtaking than any fantasy of you I had.” He settled his body between her legs, using his forearms to hold his weight.
The heat of him. So damn close. She arched, seeking the fulfillment.
“So impatient for me, sweet Olivia.”
He touched her center with the very tip of his body, pulling back when she tried to press against him. Frustrated, Olivia sank back onto the bed. If he didn’t fork over the good stuff soon, she was going to take matters into her own hands.
He smiled and kissed her, whispering against her lips, “What is it you want?”
“This. I want this.” She splayed her hands out and bunched the blanket on his bed beneath her hands.
“You sure? No universe hovering outside the door to rush in at the last minute?”
Choking off a sound between laughter and a groan, Olivia put her hands on his buttocks and pressed, but she might have well been trying to move a brick building. My God, the man was built! “Mason!” She was drowning in the desperate hunger to be one with him.
He kissed her breasts, taking the time to suck her nipples before he lowered himself onto her. Olivia gloried in the hard weight and warmth of his body against hers, in the feel of his erection waiting to plunge into her.
He slipped a hand between them and touched her, sliding in one finger, then another, increasing the tempo until her body tightened and she cried out his name as she climaxed. While her body was still cresting, he eased into her and Olivia wanted to weep from the sheer rightness of it, from the way that he filled her, pushing, stretching, anchoring her against the softness of the mattress and the hardness of himself.
It felt so damned good. So damned right. He began to move slowly, never taking his eyes from hers. She lifted her hands and placed them on his back, gently stroking the scars. Saving her was what in a roundabout way had led to him receiving these scars. They were beautiful. Somehow, the universe had known they belonged to each other. Her heart full, there were so many things she wanted to say. “I’m yours,” she whispered.
“You always have been,” he responded as he increased his movement faster and faster and the friction touched her swollen flesh. The man was an expert, she thought, as he exploded into her the same time she found release again.
The power and beauty of their union brought Olivia close to tears. Of course this was right. Of course it was good. They belonged together.
Chapter Twelve
“That was incredible,” Olivia said after Mason moved and resettled beside her.
“There’s still dessert,” he said, reeling from how satisfied he felt both physically and emotionally.
With a curious expression, she looked at him. “More?”
“The shower, sweet Olivia, so we can get ready to go out and eat.” He slid from the bed and gave her buttocks a light smack. “Come on.”
“I’m not sure I can walk upright.” She eased into a sitting position and he dragged her up around the waist and settled her onto his back.
Laughing, she threw her arm around his neck. He walked into the master bath and stepped into the shower with her on his back, enjoying the press of her breasts against his skin. Once he slid the door shut, he eased her to her feet and turned on the water. When she tried to slip past him, he put a hand against the wall, blocking her way. He wasn’t through showing her all the ways he could please her. “Just wait
.”
He tested the water and when it was the right temperature, he reached up and removed the handheld showerhead from its holder, changing the force of the water to pulsate. Angling it, he lowered the showerhead and aimed the spray of water at Olivia. “Open your legs.”
“I don’t know if I can stand. My muscles—”
He interrupted her words to kiss her, gently moving her backward until she was against the shower wall. Using his hands, he nudged her legs apart and let the water pulsate against her swollen bud. He pressed against her and she went wild. Her climax was instant and forceful.
Wrapping an arm around her waist, he supported her weight while she gasped and cried out his name. Her body shuddered and her head fell forward to rest against his shoulder, her wet hair hiding her face.
“Good?”
“No,” she said in a muffled whimper. “Damn good.” Lifting her head, she pushed her hair out of the way as he stretched up to return the showerhead to the holder. She lowered her eyes and gave him a saucy smile. “I see someone is up for round two.”
“I heard your stomach growl. This can keep until after dinner.”
“I don’t think so. “ She nudged him. “Turn around and face the water.”
He turned and she ducked around in front of him to reach for the showerhead. Pulling it down, she aimed it under his erection, and while the water pulsated, she stroked him with her other hand. Dipping her head forward, she pressed kisses against his chest, pausing every so often to gently suck his skin and whisper naughty suggestions. Mason couldn’t remember anything that made him want to explode as quickly. He ground his teeth.
“Now I want to see your face,” she whispered.
He called her name as he lost himself on the creaminess of her skin. Breathing heavily, he leaned a hand against the wall of the shower and closed his eyes. Being with Olivia was better than anything he’d ever imagined, and it scared the hell out of him. He felt the guards around his heart laying down their weapons to let Olivia in. It was time to pull back, to stop the feeling before it grew into something he couldn’t contain. He’d promised himself never to allow his heart to feel again, and Olivia had gotten too damn close for comfort.
