by Desiree Holt
"Okay.” Jamie hugged her. “It's only a couple of miles to the Interstate. If you see anyone following you, call Zane right away."
"Yes, Mom.” Kit hugged her back. “I'll be back first thing in the morning."
Jamie walked out to the driveway to watch as Kit backed out into the road. She waved at her, then at the young deputy sitting on the gravel shoulder in his county SUV. When she'd called Zane to tell him Kit was going into San Antonio, he'd told her he was sending someone to keep an eye on things and he didn't want an argument.
And truthfully, with the situation the way it was and as isolated as her house was, she wasn't any too anxious to be by herself.
Zane had sounded harassed when she talked to him, but in a low voice he told her he was looking forward to tonight more than she could imagine. Her pussy muscles clenched at the sensual purr in his voice.
Just sex, Jamie. Keep telling yourself. Just sex.
"I'm going to swing by my house and grab some things and then pick up a pizza. You still like the same kind?"
"Some things never change,” she told him.
"And some things do,” he said in the same low voice. “Good thing, too. I'll see you around six."
That gave her an hour to get ready.
This is not a date, this is not a date, this is not a date.
She repeated it to herself as she moved about the kitchen. It was important not to read something into this that wasn't there. Keeping a lock on her feelings for Zane was necessary for her sanity. She had no idea what would happen to them when this was all over, but she didn't see herself settling down in Amen or Zane following her to the city.
If she even wanted to go back.
Another thorny issue to wrestle with.
It wasn't as if she had such an itch to get back, but she wanted vindication more than she'd ever wanted anything. All her life she'd been on someone's shit list—her father's, the kids at school, Zane's. She'd invested all of herself in building a new life and a career, only to see it flushed down the toilet. If she didn't get it back, she wasn't sure she'd even know who she was anymore.
So. Tight lid on the emotions. Tight.
She set the table with place mats, candles, and wine glasses. Just because they were having pizza didn't mean they couldn't eat in style. Then she changed the sheets on her bed, fluffed up the pillows, and set out fat, scented candles in the holders she'd picked up while she and Kit were doing their county tour. Zane said he had big plans for the evening. She'd do her part to make it so.
This is not a date, she kept repeating as she ran hot water in the tub and dumped in half a bottle of bath salts, immersing herself in it with a glass of wine. But she definitely planned to have great sex. That didn't require emotional commitment. Zane Cameron of all people should know that.
She had just finished rubbing lavender lotion into every inch and crevice of her body and was pulling on a short satin robe that somehow had escaped destruction when she heard booted feet in the hallway.
For a moment, her heart stopped, then she heard Zane's voice. “Glad you took my advice about locking the door."
He carried a large duffel bag in one hand and looked so weary her heart ached for him. Again, she was startled at how quickly the tenor of their relationship had changed.
"Bad day?"
"You could say.” Then one corner of his mouth turned up. “But I think it's about to get better. Right?"
"I put myself in your custody, sheriff,” she teased.
"I have to say I'm glad Kit's not here.” He winked and dropped his duffel in a corner. “Let me shower first. I stink of rotten humanity."
Planting a quick kiss on her lips, he stripped off his clothes and headed for the bathroom. “By the way, you look good enough to eat. And that's first on the menu, before the pizza."
She almost said the same to him. The taut muscles of his buttocks and thighs flexed as he walked across the room, the last of the sunlight filtering in through her window enhancing the bronze of his skin. But what really captured her attention was the erection rising proudly from the nest of pubic hair, stiff enough to hammer nails. Her mouth watered and her pussy dripped at the sight of it.
"No peeking.” He laughed over his shoulder as he closed the bathroom door.
She was shaking with anticipation while she stuck the pizza in a low oven to keep it warm, opened the Chianti Zane had brought, and poured two glasses. By the time she had the candles in the bedroom lit and their scent drifting into the air, the bathroom door opened.
And all the liquid in her mouth dried up.
He'd shaved as well as showered, obviously washed his hair and let it loose on his shoulders in a sleek fall, and he wore only a towel knotted low on his hips. There was no mistaking the tent in the fabric or the heat in his eyes.
He took the glass of wine Jamie handed him and touched it to hers. “To new beginnings."
"New beginnings.” Her hand shook slightly as she lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip of the rich red liquid. The fingers of warmth that stretched through her body calmed the jitters she'd been fighting all day, torn between hot anticipation and the lifetime fear of letting go of her emotions. Last night had shown her she wanted this man more than she'd ever believed possible, but the fear of risking her heart still clung to her.
We'll see. We'll wait and see.
Zane set his glass down on her nightstand and reached out both hands. She put down her own drink and came forward to him. His hands were work-roughened but warm, and his touch was tender.
"Tonight I'm going to make love to you in so many ways you won't even know your own name,” he said, his voice coarse with passion.
"I thought you already did,” she whispered.
He pulled her close, one hand stroking her hair, his eyes fixed on a point somewhere beyond her. “I've had a lot of women these past years, Jamie. Both before you left and afterward. I'm not necessarily proud of the fact, but what's done is done.” He dropped his gaze to capture hers. “But I did learn a lot about what pleases me sexually. And how to please my partner."
Jamie swallowed hard, surprised by his confession. Unable to tear her eyes from his, she wondered what was coming next.
"I want to do all these things with you. I don't want there to be any boundaries between us, but I also don't want to do anything to turn you off."
Her pussy clenched as erotic images danced through her head. She may not have done everything, but she certainly had read enough. The thought of doing those things with Zane made arousal sweep through her body.
"I'm not a child,” she told him. “I may not be as experienced as you, but just because I haven't done certain things doesn't mean I don't know about them. Or that I'm not willing to try them with you.” She bit at her lower lip. “Last night is the first time I ... that is, that I ever ... I mean..."
"Let someone fuck you in the ass?"
She nodded.
"I'm glad. I'm glad I was the first. And if things ... work out ... I'm damn sure going to be the last. But there are other things. Things that..."
"What exactly are you saying, Zane? That you like your sex rough? That you like a lot of ... variety?” She was quaking inside but determined not to show it. She wasn't sure she could handle things if they got out of control. But she was hot all over, the blood pounding in her veins.
"Yes. Rough ... and hard. And wild. Can you take it, Jamie? Can you do this?"
She nibbled at her lower lip. “You won't ... you know, hurt me?” For one crazy moment she wondered if he'd found a new way to pay her back, take out all the anger he'd been storing up. Her pulse kicked into overdrive.
No. This is Zane. He's a lot of things but physically cruel isn't one of them.
One corner of his mouth kicked up in a grin. “The only pain I have in mind for you is the kind that causes real pleasure."
She had to admit, she was more than a little enticed by the idea of exploring new sexual boundaries with this man. Things she'd read about
but never been tempted to try with anyone else. Would she enjoy it? The sudden fullness of her breasts and the liquid dripping from her fluttering cunt were a good indication that the idea of this kind of sex with Zane aroused her.
She realized he was looking at her, waiting for her to say something else. “And you'll ... stop any time I ask you to?"
He brushed his thumbs across her cheekbones. “This isn't a punishment, darlin'. If you don't like something, we won't do it. But Jamie, I hope you like it all. Because I want to do everything with you."
She was so afraid that once she said yes she'd be bound to this man forever, and there were so many obstacles to even reaching that point. Her own murky future. What he really wanted from her once they climbed out of bed. But she wasn't going to let him think she wasn't his equal. Whatever he promised, she wanted to try it. And give back as good as she got. It was a new sexual frontier for her, and if she moved in that direction with anyone, it would surely be Zane.
"I don't care what it is.” She thrust out her chin. “Whatever you want, Zane, just bring it on."
Oh, god, I hope I'm not making a mistake here. Where's my brain when I need it? Lodged right between my legs, that's where.
He cupped her chin and tilted her face up to him. His face was dark with need and the fires of lust burned in his obsidian black eyes. “All right, darlin'. Here we go. Just remember. You can stop any time you want."
He picked her up in his arms, brushing his lips against hers with a feather light touch. His tongue traced the closed seam of her mouth, and his teeth nibbled at her lower lip. He traced the outline of her mouth, licking at it like a piece of delicious candy. Shimmers of heat cascaded through her body, and she opened for his tongue, sucking it inside.
The contact of his tongue against hers was like an electrical connection, shooting sparks throughout the warm well of her mouth. She tightened her arms around his neck, the silken fall of his hair tickling her skin. She could feel wetness seep from her aching pussy, soaking through her robe to his arm holding her.
His chuckle against her mouth was low and sensual. “Ready for me so soon, darlin'?"
I'm always ready for you, it seems, she wanted to say, but she didn't want to take her lips away from his. Somehow, without her being aware of it, he removed her robe and placed her nude body on the cool sheets of her bed. The ceiling fan turned lazily overhead, stirring the air just enough to spread the scent of the candles throughout the room but not enough to cool her heated flesh.
Zane stretched his long body out beside her, kissing the underside of her jaw, the spot behind her ear, the column of her neck. When he reached the sensitive place where neck and shoulder joined, he nipped the skin lightly and once again sparks of heat danced through her.
His large, warm hand plumped one breast, lifting it to his mouth. He swiped his tongue over the already beaded nipple. Sensations shot straight to her womb, and the inner muscles of her cunt fluttered. Zane suckled the hardened tip, pulling it first with his lips, then with his teeth until she thought it would burst from pleasure.
"Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. You can't begin to know how many nights I lay in my bed, so hard I thought my dick would break, dreaming about loving you like this."
Her legs shifted restlessly and she rubbed her thighs together. “Did you? I shouldn't admit it, but I've had my own fantasies."
"Tell me what they are and I'll fulfill every one of them.” Zane lifted his head from her breast. “Spread your legs wide for me, darlin'. Move your hand down and touch yourself. I know you're wet. Rub your fingers through it, then let me see you lick them."
A thread of dark need began to uncurl inside Jamie. She'd tried a lot of things in previous relationships, but somehow she knew Zane was going to take her past all her boundaries, push her to places she'd never been before. To heights of pleasure she'd never attained. She moved her legs apart, touching her wet pussy with her fingers until they were covered with her liquid, then lifted them to her lips.
Zane was nibbling on her nipple again and turned his head to watch her. When she sucked her fingers into her mouth, his thick cock jerked against her thigh and his breathing hitched.
"Wet your fingers again and rub your juice on your other nipple,” he told her.
Touching herself sent tiny shivers through her, frissons of excitement, and when she rubbed her own cream on her nipple, it hardened almost painfully.
At once Zane shifted his mouth to that nipple, licking the cream glistening on it and raking it with his teeth.
"Touch me,” she begged.
"You want my fingers inside your cunt?” he asked, flicking her nipple with his tongue. “Is that what you want, darlin'?"
"Yes, yes. Please."
Again that dark, sensuous laugh. “All in good time. I have more plans for these gorgeous sweet nipples first."
Her nipples were already so inflamed, so ultra sensitive, she didn't know what else he could do to them.
He rolled lithely off the bed and went to the duffel he had brought. Unzipping it, he took out a small box that he carried back to the bed. Kneeling beside her, he opened the box and showed her what looked like tiny gold bars with clusters of jewels.
She'd seen pictures of nipple clamps before but not the real thing. In her fantasies, she'd wondered what it would be like to feel the cold metal pinching her, her nipples swelling between them.
Jamie stared, fascinated, anticipation flooding her, as Zane removed them one at a time from the box and placed one of them on the bed next to her. With thumb and forefinger, he plumped one nipple, pinching it just hard enough to make her gasp. Pain mingled with delight. Holding the bud with one hand, he tugged it between two thin gold bars, then tightened the tiny screws on each side.
At first the pain seemed intolerable, but then it morphed into a new level of pleasure and more juice dripped from her cunt. When he took his hand away, the tiny pearls dangling from the clamp brushed the sensitized skin of her breast.
Zane's eyes were hot, dark, and a flush of sensuality stained his bronze cheekbones. He looked almost dangerous, and the edge of danger aroused her even more. He attached the second clamp to the other nipple, then moved off the bed to admire his handiwork.
"They look gorgeous on you.” His voice was thick and heavy. “I knew they would. I bought them just for you."
He pinched each swollen nipple once more, then stepped to his duffle again. This time he had a small paper tote bag in his hand. Jamie fixated on it as he placed it on the night stand.
"Do you like to play with toys, Jamie? Use a vibrator on yourself?"
Yes, she did, but she actually felt herself blush.
Zane leaned down and kissed each protruding nipple. “Ah, good. I love to use toys on women. But I've never wanted to see anyone do it as much as you, darlin'. I like my sex innovative. Maybe a little rough.” He lifted his gaze to hers. “We still okay here?"
She swallowed hard and nodded.
"All right, then. Close your eyes for me. Real tight. When you can't see, all the other senses are sharper."
Jamie lowered her eyelids, the edge of the unknown exciting her. The next thing she knew, a soft cloth covered her eyes and Zane's hands lifted her head as he tied the ends behind her. Warm fingers circled her wrists, lifting her arms up and over her head, replaced in a moment by metal. A quiet snick, and when she tried to lower her hands, she realized she was cuffed to the headboard.
"I don't want this to be unpleasant for you, Jamie. Not for one minute. Any time we go too far, just tell me to stop and that's it. It's only good if we both enjoy it. Okay?"
She nodded, her mouth so dry she didn't think she could make a sound.
The pinch on her nipples again sent bolts of pleasure to her womb. Then the mattress dipped as Zane knelt between her legs, bending them so her feet were flat, pushing them wide apart. Waiting for his next move, his next touch, was more arousing than she could have believed.
His hands stroked her entire sex, then one finger
trailed the length of her slit, from clit to anus.
"Such a beautiful cunt,” he murmured. “I could fuck you all night every night and never get enough of you. You're in my blood.” His voice dropped. “In my soul."
Her heart stuttered at his words, and she drew in a deep breath to steady herself.
His fingers separated the pussy lips, opening them wide. His thumbs pressed into her heated flesh on either side of her slit, massaging the flesh, coaxing the little bundle of nerves from its protective hood. His tongue flicked lightly over the exposed tip, and she nearly jolted off the bed at the contact.
"You are so wet. So deliciously soaked. You taste like the best peaches, not too tart, not too sweet. I could go to sleep every night with my tongue in your pussy."
Fresh cream gushed at his touch and his words, and her hips jerked up at him.
"Your little clit is so red, darlin'. It's just begging to be tormented.” His thumbs continued to massage the flesh beside it. “What a dilemma. Shall I suck it? Bite it? Rub my thumb over it until you scream for release?'
A warm stream of breath blew over her clit, and she quaked with need.
"Would you like something in this gorgeous cunt, Jamie? Something to fill you? Stretch you?"
"Y-yes.” Her voice was a whisper. “Please."
"Let's make it even better, shall we?"
She had no idea what he was talking about until he bent her legs back, her knees touching her chest. His forearm held them in place, easing the strain on her muscles. Her entire sex was exposed to his vision, nothing hidden or concealed. He could see it all. One hand smoothed lovingly over her buttocks.
"Do you know what I want to do? What I've been thinking all day about doing?"
"What?” She barely got the word out.
"Seeing this absolutely gorgeous ass turning bright red. Have you ever been spanked by one of your lovers, Jamie?"
She shook her head, her pulse racing as she realized what his intention was.
"Good.” His voice was low and soft but still smug with satisfaction. “And no one else ever will. I want to watch you squirming with pleasure every time my hand touches you.” His hand continued to stroke the curve of her buttocks, brushing softly against the tender skin.
