by Tracy March
“Seven?”
It had been a challenge to get the total down that low. She lifted one shoulder. “Pretty good for a guy who doesn’t like being in front of the camera.”
“I had no idea you were taking pictures of me until I’d heard that click-hum noise a hundred times, and turned around to see what it was.”
She lowered her eyebrows as she clicked through the photos, checking his reaction to each one. “A hundred?”
“At least.”
Ellie grinned. “Imagine me having to sort through a hundred pictures of you, and narrow the choices down to seven.” Four of them were of him standing at the overlook, his motorcycle behind him and off to the right. Three had been taken after he and Ellie had met, when he was on his bike.
“Tough work,” he teased.
He had no idea. It had been difficult to scrutinize picture after picture, and not fall harder for him with every one.
She leaned close to him and nudged his shoulder. “Got a favorite?”
Collin scrubbed his hand across his forehead. “Do you?”
“Yep, but I don’t want to influence you. I can tell you that it’s one of those seven.”
She liked them all, and wouldn’t mind wallpapering her darkroom with them. But one stood out as best suited for a hand-tinted photo—and for her to display in the gallery while she painted it.
“What if I don’t pick the same one?” he asked.
“You’re buying it,” she said lightly. “Not me.” She skimmed her fingers from his temple to the back of his neck, loving the feel of his prickly short hair. “There’s not a bad choice in the bunch.” She massaged the back of his neck while he looked through the pictures again.
He leaned back in the chair and tipped his head toward the screen. “That one.”
Ellie studied the panoramic picture of him in profile, standing on the overlook, gazing out at the craggy Rockies, one hand in his pocket, the other at his side. “I like it.” She stifled a smile.
“What?”
“It’s my favorite, too.”
He lifted his chin. “So it will definitely sell—and not just to me.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Two words,” he said. “ ‘Wilderness. Camping.’ ”
Ellie shook her head. “ ‘Photo. Shoot.’ ”
“High Hopes” played, the slow, throaty guitar solo filling the studio. Collin’s playful look turned serious, and he stood, took Ellie’s hand, and eased her up to join him. He pulled her into his arms, pressed her close against his hard body, and swayed to the music. Combing his fingers through her hair, he swept it away from her ear, and whispered huskily, “This feels right.”
Warmth spread through her like a buzz, leaving her feeling thrilled and uninhibited.
Ellie moved with him, her hands at the back of his neck, her fingers massaging his head. She lifted her chin, and he bowed his head, their lips just inches apart. “I think so, too.”
Collin teased her with a soft kiss, then parted her lips with his tongue. He pressed her against him, her breasts straining against his pecs.
Firm.
Male.
Muscle.
Unable to hold back, Ellie arched into him, and a low moan rumbled in his throat.
Her body pulsed with need for him.
Collin’s tongue whisked against hers with a controlled intensity that Ellie longed to shatter. She couldn’t wait to see him let go and lose it—all because of her.
Chapter 13
Collin pulled back a little and gazed at Ellie as the guitar reached a crescendo, her eyes looking bluer in the hazy light of the candle and the glimmering chandelier. This was going to be their first time together. He was determined to make it last—and remember every second.
Guaranteed Ellie would remember it, too. He planned to seduce her senseless, and please her until she begged him to stop.
Until she never thinks about her ex again.
Just imagining it gave him a rigid hard-on.
He cupped her cheek, then swept his fingertips down along the neckline of her gauzy blouse, stopping at the bow. Focused on every detail, he fixed his gaze on it, gripped one of the ties between his thumb and forefinger, and pulled until it came loose. Ellie’s blouse fell open into a V, revealing the camisole beneath—another layer between his skin and Ellie’s, and he couldn’t wait to peel away every one.
Ellie flattened her palms against his pecs as his firm grip kept their bodies close. She swept his shirt off his shoulders, holding it by the collar while he shrugged out of one sleeve, then the other. A satisfied smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she draped the shirt over the back of his chair and pulled him in for another kiss.
Sweet.
Sensuous.
And so damn sexy.
The taste of her alone had his pulse firing bullets. He hated to break off their kiss, but he was dying to see more of her.
Now.
Collin pulled back, clutched the hem of her gauzy blouse, and lifted it over her head, tossing it onto the chair. As they swayed to the music, he gently kneaded her shoulders, then smoothed his hands lower, his fingertips grazing the outer curve of her breasts before resting at her hips.
Ellie captured his gaze, drew him to her, and kissed him urgently. Heat surged through him as she trailed kisses down his neck, and shifted her hips, grazing his cock with her movements.
Collin tipped his head back, squeezed his eyes closed, and clenched his teeth, struggling to stick with the slow moves. He leaned forward and tangled his fingers in her silky hair. “I want you so damn bad, Ellie.”
The sultry look in her eyes nearly destroyed him. “Bedroom?”
He sucked in a sharp breath. “Kitchen. Bathroom. I’m not picky.”
Ellie grinned as she pulled away from him, leaned across the table, and picked up the candle. “Let’s take this.” With the flames dancing, she led him to her bedroom. She set the candle on the bureau, hazily illuminating the room.
Collin took her in his arms, and she rested her head against his chest. No doubt she could hear his heart hammering. He kissed her head, inhaling the fresh scent of her hair. “You sure?” he asked, worried she was having second thoughts and hoping like hell she wasn’t.
Ellie gazed up at him with sultry eyes and nodded. She clutched the base of his T-shirt, untucking it from his jeans. Sliding her hands beneath it, she swept her fingertips over his abs, and he tensed at her feathery touch. She pushed up his shirt, and he took over, pulling it off and tossing it over the arm of the upholstered chair behind him.
Drawing him close, Ellie trailed kisses over his pecs. He flexed beneath her lips, his cock pulsing against his zipper.
Sweet torture.
He hooked his fingers under the straps of her camisole, and slid them off her shoulders. “Let’s get rid of this,” he said, a low rumble in his voice.
Ellie gracefully pulled the camisole over her head. Her hair fell around her shoulders, messy and tousled, blocking some of the finer parts from his view. He swept her hair aside, revealing a delicate, satiny bra. Her breasts swelled at the edge of each cup, just begging him to touch them. He brushed his fingertips over the smooth curves, then leaned down and kissed the path his fingers had taken, killing himself with temptation.
Clenching his teeth, he tried to muster some patience, but her allure was like a drug. Getting her down to jeans and a bra wasn’t going to satisfy him for long—he’d fantasized about stripping her naked since the second he’d seen her. Reaching behind her, he unhooked her bra, swept the straps off her shoulders, and let it fall to the floor.
Collin drew back, his cock jumping as he got his first look at her firm, natural breasts, her nipples tight and pink.
So damn perfect.
Collin smoothed his fingertips from her neck down to her breasts, and cupped them in his hands, his gaze riveted on them. He worked her nipples with his thumbs, circling and teasing until she closed her eyes, pressed her lips togeth
er tightly, and sighed.
Good God.
That sigh had his dick so hard, he was tempted to shuck off his jeans and take her right now. But he had way more in store for her than that.
Collin took one of her nipples in his mouth, bringing it to a tight peak with his tongue as she ran her fingers through his hair, her nails gently grazing his scalp. He lifted his head and kissed her softly, trailing his way to her ear. “Lie down,” he said, and eased her toward the bed.
Ellie sat on the edge, and ran her fingers along his torso, to the button of his jeans. His cock pulsed as she flipped the button open with a twist of her fingers. She eased the zipper lower notch by notch, relieving some of the pressure, but it only continued to build. Running her fingers beneath the waistbands of his jeans and boxer briefs, she said, “Let’s get rid of these, too.”
Collin shucked them off and tossed them aside, baring himself to her, his erection springing free.
Ellie absently licked her lips as she looked him up and down, then focused on his cock. She reached out and traced her fingers along his shaft.
Collin tensed at her teasing touch and indulged in the sensation for a second, tempted to give in. But once she really got hold of him, he couldn’t trust himself to make her stop. He gently gripped her wrist, reluctantly pulling her hand away. “There’ll be plenty of time for that.” He urged her to lie back on the bed, and he stood over her at the edge. His breath hitched as he shamelessly devoured the sight of her—breasts high, nipples tight, blond hair splayed behind her.
He leaned closer and brushed his lips over hers, trailing kisses along her neck, between her breasts, and across her flat stomach. Kneeling, he unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans, pulling them over her hips and kissing his way down her slender legs as he revealed them. He pushed the jeans aside and leveled his gaze on hers as he ran his hands up her smooth thighs, gripped the delicate satin band of her panties, and slowly slid them off her.
Collin’s heart thundered as he parted her legs, positioned himself between them, and shifted his gaze. With gentle pressure, he skimmed his fingers over her velvety folds, eliciting a sweet whimper from her, and a tilt of her hips. The sound shot straight to his cock.
He flicked his fingers at her entrance, finding her wet and ready. Eager to hear her whimper again, he slid two fingers inside her. Keeping a sensuous rhythm, he spread her legs wider, leaned down, and kissed her center. Ellie ran her fingers through his hair as she gently rocked with each circle and sweep of his tongue, and every plunge of his fingers. Her breathing became ragged, her thrusting more erratic, and Collin pulled away and met her gaze, easing the rhythm of his fingers.
“No,” she said breathlessly, her eyes pleading before she squeezed them closed. “Please don’t stop.”
He’d never seen anything that damn sexy.
“You like it?” Collin flicked his tongue over her center, and got the whimper he’d been working for.
“Yes.” She bucked her hips, and Collin held on, giving her more of what she wanted.
Of what he wanted. So. Fucking. Bad.
“Oh, God,” Ellie cried out, clutching his head, and pulsing around his fingers.
Collin let her settle, kissing her inner thighs, high on the heady scent of her.
She sighed and sat up, looking flushed and satisfied in the candlelight. “That was amazing,” she said, and kissed him gently.
“We’re just getting started.”
Ellie stood, and urged him up with her. Drawing her to him, she kissed him hungrily, urging him backward until his calves came up against the chair behind him.
“Sit down,” she said.
She’d get no argument from him. Right now he’d do anything she asked. He sank onto the firm cushion, and Ellie knelt between his legs. She smoothed her hands up his thighs, cupped his balls with one, wrapped the other around his cock, and gently stroked, her gaze locked on his. The girl had the wrist action down, and he struggled to stay in control. With a sultry glint in her eyes, she leaned over, circled her tongue around the head of his cock, and took it in her mouth.
Collin tipped his head back and sucked in a breath with a hiss. “God, Ellie.” He clenched his jaw, thrust his hips forward, and tangled his fingers in her hair, pressure building. “Ahh,” he groaned as she brought him closer to the edge. But there was no way he was going over without taking her with him.
Collin gripped her shoulders. “Come here, baby,” he said, his voice thick.
Ellie gazed at him with heavy-lidded eyes, looking gorgeous in the candlelight, her lips shimmering. Collin’s cock throbbed as she stood naked in front of him, looking hotter than he’d even fantasized. As he started to stand, Ellie grasped his shoulders, urging him to stay. He furrowed his brow.
“Let me,” she said.
Collin gazed at her, mesmerized, as she straddled his legs, resting her knees on the seat cushion.
Hell, yeah.
Pulling her to him, he cupped one of her breasts, and kissed her tightly peaked nipple. He smoothed his palm up her inner thigh, parted her folds, and flicked his finger over her center. Her breath hitched. “Please say you brought a condom.”
Collin grabbed for his jeans, found his wallet, and pulled out two condoms.
“Two,” Ellie said with a sexy, satisfied smile.
He tore the perforation between them, tossed one aside, and opened the other as fast as he could. Ellie grasped his hand and pulled the condom from the packet. She stroked his cock, and he pressed his eyes closed, fighting for control.
“Put it on,” he said, his breath coming faster.
Ellie rolled the condom onto his cock. He wrapped his arms around her, and flexed his thighs, ready to stand and finally take her to bed.
“Stay,” she whispered, and eased her body toward his.
Collin’s heart thundered as he imagined what was coming.
Taking his cock in her hand, Ellie guided it to her entrance. Holding his gaze, she teased him by circling several times, then sank down on him, taking him inside her inch by mind-blowing inch.
Wet.
Slick.
Tight.
Collin sucked in a sharp breath and pulled her to him, her breasts firm against his pecs. He lifted his hips, thrusting deeply inside her.
“You feel so good,” he said, and kissed her greedily.
Ellie rocked her hips, riding him with a steady rhythm. Collin had imagined being with her—how incredible it would be—but nothing he’d imagined compared to this.
Her breaths quickened, and she tipped her head back, her rhythm more erratic. He cradled her in his arms, gripped her shoulders, and plunged in deep, giving her everything he had.
“Oh, God, Collin,” she gasped. Her body tensed, and she contracted around him, then quickly lifted her hips and bore down on him again. She clutched him tightly, her fingernails biting into his back as Collin rocked inside her, teeth clenched, on the verge of release.
“Yes. Again,” she said breathlessly into his ear as she ground against him. “Yes.”
Her insistence undid him. He thrust in her hard as she pulsed around his cock. Moaning low, he shattered inside her with an intensity that rocked him, and lit everything bright white.
Chapter 14
Ellie sipped her breakfast smoothie as she gazed across the meadow at the view. The sun streamed through the morning haze, giving everything even more of a dreamy feel. Her cozy fleece pullover and her mood kept her warm, despite the chilly air.
“Mike’s Mexolina at seven A.M.?” she asked Collin playfully.
Sleep-tousled and satisfied, they relaxed on the patio where they’d eaten dinner the night before. But this time they sat on the fluffy-cushioned love seat, with Ellie’s legs stretched across Collin’s lap.
“Breakfast of champions.” He took a big bite of the leftover burrito.
Ellie shook her head, smiling. When she woke up next to him this morning, it had taken her a second to get her bearings—to remember what had happened las
t night and adjust to the thrill of having him in her bed.
She tipped her cup toward him. “I work better on a light breakfast, and I’ve got to open the gallery at ten. I’ve got a picture to paint.”
“You seemed to be working fine on Mike’s Mexolina last night,” he teased.
After they had reluctantly gotten up from the chair in Ellie’s bedroom last night, they had gone back to her studio and she’d processed the photo Collin had chosen—Ellie in her robe, and Collin in his sexy boxer briefs.
“It’s cool that you’re so dedicated to getting this picture done,” he’d said “Except when it takes us out of the bedroom.”
Ellie gave him a sidelong glance, struggling not to grin. “We’ve got to settle our bet.” She pulled the photo from the processing tray and hung it on the line in her darkroom. “This won’t be dry until morning.”
“Hmm.” Collin raised his eyebrows. “What will we do until then?”
Ellie reached into the pocket of her robe and pulled out the condom Collin had tossed aside, but kept it hidden from him. Taking his hand, she turned it knuckles-down, unfurled his fingers, and set the packet on his palm. “I have an idea.” Anticipation swirled through her.
Collin smiled and gave her a got-to-have-you kiss. Slipping one of his arms beneath her knees and the other behind her back, he had lifted her, cradled her against his smooth, muscular chest, and carried her to bed.
Ellie took another sip of her smoothie. “It might’ve been Mike’s Mexolina that did it. Imagine if we’d gotten to the coconut oatmeal sandwich cookies I forgot about.” She squeezed his biceps, loving the firm feel of muscle beneath her fingers.
He lowered his eyebrows and shook his head. “Nothing could make me want you more than I already do, but…”
Ellie’s heart soared.
Nothing could make me want you more than I already do.
Collin cut a sly glance at her. “Mmm, those cookies…You wouldn’t eat them without me, would you?”
