Deception by Design

by Tara Wentz

  Joshlyn glanced up at Kellen and licked her lower lip. “Then the feeling is mutual.”

  “Yeah?” Kellen asked.

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “How about you tel—” Kellen stopped abruptly as Joshlyn put a finger to her lips.

  “No more talking, Kellen. Show me…show me how you feel,” Joshlyn said, removing her finger.

  Kellen grabbed Joshlyn’s arm and pulled her against her chest. She lowered her head and took Joshlyn’s mouth with desperate need. She slid her hands up under the back edge of Joshlyn’s shirt and stroked the bare, warm flesh under her fingers. Moving her hands up and around to the front of Joshlyn’s chest, she cupped both breasts and squeezed gently.

  Joshlyn moaned and started backing them both towards her bedroom. The last thing she wanted was to be rolling around on the floor like two sex-starved teenagers, but God help her, if they didn’t get there fast, that is exactly what they’d be doing.

  Kellen stopped Joshlyn in the hall and pushed her back against the wall. She laced both of Joshlyn’s hands in hers and raised them above her head. She placed a leg between Joshlyn’s thighs and stepped close, grinding her hip against Joshlyn’s pelvis.

  Joshlyn tilted her head back submissively as Kellen’s mouth ravaged her throat, neck, and ear.

  “Is this what you want, Joshlyn?”

  “Yes, God, yes,” Joshlyn whimpered in a hoarse voice.

  Kellen’s stomach tightened and her blood ran hotter. She took Joshlyn’s hand and led the rest of the way into the bedroom. She stopped short of the bed and started unbuttoning Joshlyn’s shirt.

  Joshlyn caught her lower lip between her teeth as the last button came loose. She gave the window a cursory glance as the material slipped off her shoulders. She let the shirt fall free and then reached over to slip Kellen’s shirt over her head.

  In seconds, both of them had removed their clothing. Joshlyn pulled Kellen down on top of her and kissed her as a new surge of sexual energy swirled deep in her gut. She buried her nose in Kellen’s neck, not caring about the musky scent of sweat on her skin. Never had she wanted someone as much as she wanted Kellen. She was scared of the transition in their relationship, but the need and want of this physical intimacy outweighed her fears. The only thing that could put a damper at this point would be if Kellen weren’t ready.

  Joshlyn nipped the soft surface with her teeth and slid her hands into Kellen’s hair to hold her still so she could see her face.

  “Are you okay with this, Kellen?”

  “I’m definitely okay; more than okay actually,” Kellen said, grinning.

  Joshlyn nodded and placed her hands against Kellen’s chest. She gave a slight push, making Kellen sit up astride her. Once she was there, Joshlyn slid her hands down to cup her breasts. She kneaded them gently before taking each nipple between her fingers. Joshlyn elicited a deep moan from Kellen as she brought her hips up and squeezed her nipples at the same time.

  “Fuck, Joshlyn, you’re going to make me come if you do that again.” Kellen felt ready to explode as it was and knew it wouldn’t take much to send her over the edge.

  “Go ahead, Kellen, there’s no need to hold back. We’ve got all night long,” Joshlyn responded, rolling her hips for punctuation.

  Kellen leaned down and took a nipple between her lips. Flicking it with her tongue, she pushed her hips down against Joshlyn’s. She continued to suck and nibble on Joshlyn’s nipple as she moved a hand between them. She slipped her fingers on each side of Joshlyn’s clit and moved them through the silken wetness.

  “Oh, my God…Oh, Kellen!”

  “That’s it, baby; move with me…let it go,” Kellen whispered as she slid both fingers deep inside. She hadn’t intended to turn the tables on Joshlyn, but the need to touch her was overwhelming. The soft, sensual moans and unmistakable, musky scent of excitement pushed her beyond the point of simply wanting Joshlyn. She needed her.

  “Oh, God, I’m so close…” Joshlyn moaned, moving faster against Kellen’s stroking fingers.

  “Good, baby…just let it go,” Kellen purred.

  Joshlyn arched her back up off the bed and gasped as her body exploded. Her toes curled as her center throbbed and she felt like she was floating in a million pieces.

  Kellen leaned down and kissed Joshlyn. “You are an incredible woman, Josh.”

  “And you, Reynolds, play dirty pool,” Joshlyn said as she rolled Kellen to her back.

  “What?”

  Joshlyn grinned down at her, knowing full well Kellen was aware of what she’d done.

  “Now it’s my turn, you little trouble maker.” Joshlyn curled her fingers in Kellen’s and placed them by her head as she leaned down and dropped butterfly kisses over Kellen’s forehead, then her eyes, down to her nose, on her chin, and lastly the moist parted lips awaiting her. She nipped first at the upper lip and then sucked Kellen’s lower lip in her mouth. Releasing it, Joshlyn moved slowly down her body, leaving a trail of moist kisses behind her. When she reached the apex between Kellen’s legs, she ran her hands, palm side up, along the inside of her thighs and spread her legs gently.

  Kellen’s breath quickened as her legs opened, giving Joshlyn full access to whatever she wanted. A white-hot bolt of electricity shot through her core when Joshlyn’s lips and tongue touched her.

  “Oh, Josh, that feels so good,” Kellen moaned.

  Joshlyn ran her tongue up over Kellen’s clit and back down. Each time she did, Kellen twitched and jumped. She knew Kellen was about to orgasm and wanted to hold it off a little longer.

  “You like that, do you?”

  “Please, don’t stop…please,” Kellen begged.

  Joshlyn couldn’t bring herself to hold off any longer, not when Kellen was begging. She took the engorged clit between her lips, slid two fingers deep inside, and started a slow stroke. The closer Kellen got to the edge the faster she stroked until finally she sent her over.

  Kellen bucked beneath Joshlyn’s mouth and hands and then her body went taut as a rush of molten heat spilled from within her.

  “Oh, God, baby, that was…”

  “I know, believe me, I know.”

  Joshlyn moved up beside Kellen and gathered her into her arms. Kellen curled around Joshlyn and closed her eyes.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kellen slowly became aware of her surroundings. Joshlyn’s warm, supple body was wrapped over and around Kellen’s entire left side. She had a protective arm thrown across Kellen’s waist and her face snuggled into the crook of her neck.

  Kellen tightened her hold. She could definitely get used to waking up like this. It was early, that much she knew even though the blinds were pulled closed. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table. Four forty-five in the morning. Chigger would need to be let out very soon. He was a good dog, but even good dogs could only hold it for so long.

  “Why are you awake already?”

  “How did you know I was awake?” Kellen asked.

  “I could feel you thinking,” Joshlyn mumbled.

  Kellen grinned and kissed Joshlyn on the top of her head. “I’ve got to get up and go, sweetheart.”

  Joshlyn groaned. Leaning up on an elbow, she kissed Kellen on the lips. “Do you have to go so soon?”

  “I don’t want to, but Chigger might disagree.”

  Joshlyn crossed her arms on Kellen’s chest and rested her chin on them. “Ah, well, I don’t want to upset Chigger. He’s my in.”

  Kellen ran her hand through Joshlyn’s hair, clasped a piece between her fingers, and tugged gently. “As if...”

  “Yeah?”

  Kellen drew Joshlyn down. “Oh, yeah,” she said and closed her lips over Joshlyn’s.

  The kiss started tentatively at first, but gained momentum in a span of a few seconds. Joshlyn shifted slightly so she was on top of Kellen and slid a leg between her thighs. Her tongue pressed for entrance and met no resistance.

  Kellen’s hands were all over Joshlyn. She couldn’t get enough, b
ut knew they had to stop or she’d never get home.

  “Baby, I really, really want to continue this, but I better go before the getting’s no good.”

  Joshlyn sighed, but acquiesced. “I know…I know.” She flopped on her back and sighed again. “I can’t seem to get enough of you. What have you done to me?”

  Everything about Kellen pulled at Joshlyn’s senses. Her smell, her touch, the way she responded to the littlest things. She was smart as hell and gave as good as she got.

  “I don’t think it’s anything you haven’t already done to me.” Kellen laughed.

  Joshlyn laughed with her. “Point taken,” she said, rolling up and out of bed. “Come on, up with you then. Get out of my bed before I keep you there forever.”

  Kellen took the offered hand and crawled out of bed. She held Joshlyn close, reveling in the moment. Nothing compared to a little post coital bliss.

  Joshlyn ran her fingers lightly down Kellen’s cheek. “Do you want to take a shower before you leave?”

  Kellen leaned into the touch. “I’ll take one when I get home. After I get Chigger taken care of and shower, would it be okay to come back over? Maybe we could go for breakfast and coffee?”

  “I’d like that. Just come over when you’re ready. I’ll be here.”

  Kellen stared deep into Joshlyn’s eyes. Something seemed a little off or out of place and then Joshlyn blinked. Kellen continued to stare until Joshlyn spoke.

  “Go. The sooner you do the sooner you can come back.”

  Kellen nodded and turned to get dressed.

  ****

  After Kellen left, Joshlyn hopped in the shower. Lathering her hair and soaping her body, she thought back on the night. Kellen had awoken and they made love again and again until they were both satiated and worn out. Joshlyn couldn’t remember a night that she enjoyed more or gave so freely. Even prior to three years ago, she’d never shared this kind of passion with anyone. Hell, she’d never felt this kind of passion before. The emotions consumed her and she was hell bent on exploring every feeling she possessed.

  Joshlyn stepped out of the shower and dried. Wrapping the towel around her, she glanced in the mirror. She tilted her head back and put some eye drops in her eyes. Leaning closer to the mirror, she blinked a few times. Kellen was very perceptive and Joshlyn was afraid they were about to have their first heartfelt conversation until she was able to distract her.

  “That was close…too close,” Joshlyn said to her reflection.

  Joshlyn left the bathroom and pulled some clothes on. She padded down the hall to her office and plopped down in the chair in front of her desk. She turned on her computer, pulled her camera from the bag, and removed the memory card.

  “Let’s take a look at these babies and see if we got any good ones.”

  Joshlyn clicked on the icon to open the program she used for her pictures and then opened up the folder of new pictures she took at the race. She quickly scanned the pictures for the one of Kellen removing her helmet and leaned back when it popped up on her monitor.

  “Wow, she is absolutely stunning.” Joshlyn stared at the picture. The smile and twinkle in Kellen’s eyes looked like it was meant just for her.

  Joshlyn clicked her mouse a few times and then hit the print button. She continued clicking and printing until she’d worked through the entire folder.

  ****

  Kellen stepped through the door and greeted an excited Chigger. He was wiggling and jumping circles around her.

  “Hey there boy, did you miss me?”

  Kellen set her stuff on the kitchen table and squatted. “Who’s a good boy? Hmm? Is that you?”

  Kellen scratched the pooch’s head and then let him outside. She filled his bowls with water and food and walked into the living room to click on the television. She glanced around the room and for the first time realized how empty it really felt. There was nothing personal about the room. It could have been anyone’s living room and for that reason alone Kellen felt sad. This was supposed to be her home, her haven. It didn’t seem to matter before, but now she wanted it to. Having someone special in her life gave Kellen a different perspective on the important things and she vowed to make some changes.

  Chigger pawing at the sliding glass door brought Kellen back to the kitchen. She let the pup in and headed for the shower.

  Opting for a tub of hot, bubbly water instead of a shower, Kellen climbed in and sank up to her shoulders. She laid her head back against the edge of the tub and closed her eyes. There were muscles in her body that hadn’t ached like this in quite a while. Not that I’m complaining in the least! Joshlyn took her to the brink and dropped her over it many times throughout the night.

  “Joshlyn, God, what you do to me,” Kellen murmured. Sitting here soaking wasn’t going to get her back to the one person she really wanted to see. She grabbed a Loofa and squeezed some bath gel onto it. Lathering her arms and legs, she pulled the plug on the tub and stood. She turned the shower nozzle on, shampooed and conditioned her hair, and rinsed off.

  Kellen dried and dressed and was heading back down the hall to the living room when she heard her name on the television.

  “…local stock car driver, Kellen Reynolds, pulls off the upset victory in last night’s Amateur I-70 Series. Here with an interview directly following that win is TV9’s own Melissa Stewart.”

  “Thanks, Dave. Last night here at the I-70 Speedway we had an outstanding turn out for the Amateur Series. It was a heated battle, but in the end, the number thirteen Monte Carlo driven by Kellen Reynolds took the checkered flag. Here is what Ms. Reynolds had to say last night…”

  “Wow, I made the local news,” Kellen said, amused.

  ****

  Joshlyn was clipping the last photos up to dry when the phone rang. Snapping her gloves off, she hurried into the living room and grabbed the phone.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey there. Whatcha doin’, hot stuff?”

  Joshlyn laughed. “Hey, Ami, I was printing off some pictures and waiting for Kellen to come back over. What are you up to?”

  “You might want to turn your television on to channel nine. Your Ms. Wonderful’s interview from last night is on.”

  Joshlyn grabbed the remote and clicked on the television. Changing the channel, she caught the tail end of the interview.

  “…Who do you attribute your talent to, Ms. Reynolds?”

  “I couldn’t do all this without the help of my crew and I’ve got the best crew chief in Bob Landers. It also helps to have a special someone waiting for you at the finish line.”

  Joshlyn watched Kellen look directly into the camera. She’d know that sparkle in her eye anywhere and smiled.

  “Anything else you’d like to say, Ms. Reynolds?”

  “That’s it, Melissa. I’m ready to go celebrate with my crew and friends.”

  “Thank you for the interview, Ms.—”

  “It’s Kellen, please.”

  “All right. Thank you for the interview, Kellen. We look forward to seeing more of your driving in the future.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Dave, back to you.”

  “What a great interview.”

  “I’ll say. That’s a great girl you got there, Joshlyn. I’d say you better hang on to her. She seems pretty smitten over you.”

  “You think so, huh?”

  “Honey, you and I both know she was talking about you at the end of that interview.” Ami chuckled. “Seriously though, she really seems to be taken with you.”

  “Well, the feeling is mutual, Ami. I’m almost afraid to see where this is going to go.”

  “Now, Josh, don’t start questioning the relationship. Just let things happen and go with the flow.”

  Joshlyn grinned. “I said almost, Ami.”

  Ami and Joshlyn talked a little longer before Joshlyn finally said she had to go. Kellen should be returning any time and she wanted to be ready.

  As Joshlyn hung up the phone, she noticed her mess
age light blinking. Tapping the button, she waited for the message to play.

  “Joshlyn, this is Sydney. I know it’s been awhile since we last spoke, but it’s urgent that I get in touch with you. Please give me a call as soon as you get this message. My number is—”

  Joshlyn stopped the message abruptly and sank to the floor. “Not now, please not now,” she whispered.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kellen pulled up in front of Joshlyn’s house and sat there for a moment. Turning the SUV off, she palmed the keys. It was hard to believe what was happening between them. She wanted it, no doubt, but things in her life didn’t seem that attainable most times, especially not something she wanted as much as she wanted Joshlyn. Sure, she had her own business, but that was different. Work was something she always found easy to get lost in and never really had to work that hard at doing. This was most definitely different. Relationships were never easy, at least not in Kellen’s experience. Eventually someone would pinch her and she’d wake up to find this all for naught.

  Kellen squeezed the keys in her hand, making the pointed edges dig into her flesh. She glanced down and grinned at the indentions she found. This was definitely real and Joshlyn was just beyond the front door, waiting for her. Kellen leaned over and grabbed the local paper and a small bouquet of flowers she picked up on the way back over to Joshlyn’s. She exited the SUV and strolled casually up the walk to the front door. She was almost there when the door opened and Joshlyn leaned against the door jam and smiled in her direction. Kellen stumbled slightly and then stopped all together. It should be illegal for her to stand there with that saucy grin on her face, knowing exactly what it does to me!

  Kellen cleared her throat. “Stop that.”

  “Excuse me?” Joshlyn said with a chuckle.

  “You heard me, you tease,” Kellen stated, continuing her walk to the front door.

  “I have absolutely no clue what you are referring to.”