Taste of Wicked

by Michelle Howard

  Drake pressed his mouth closer and fluttered his tongue against her pink bud. She came alive in his arms. “Drake, Drake, please.”

  He squeezed her thighs in acknowledgement and raised her legs higher to drape over his shoulders, exposing her fully to his devouring mouth. He’d considered making love to her their first time together but his desire to do very wicked things to Antonia won out.

  In short time she grew damp as Drake continued to lap at her flowing cream. Her clear pleading became mindless moans and partial cries. He squeezed her butt cheeks, loving the plump feel. When her orgasm hit she screamed again, hands digging into his hair as she held his face to her and rode out the high. He watched it all from his position on his knees. Her head thrown back, mouth open as she gasped and body quivering. She was breathless at the end, hips continuing to rock in the aftermath.

  Drake’s tongue turned leisurely and laved her until the shudders stopped. She tasted delicious. Simply delicious but he kept the comment to himself, sensing he’d embarrass her with the sensuous praise. Antonia was proving to be a surprising mix of shy and daring. He found he liked the combination.

  Lowering her legs to the floor, he rose to his feet and lifted her into his arms. Antonia blinked still dazed from her release. “I’m too heavy.”

  He ignored her words and ripped back the quilt with one hand then placed her on the center of the bed. She lay sprawled in the middle, all pink and flush, like a childhood confection. Sweet and good to the taste. Satisfaction roared through him as Drake removed the rest of his clothes. He made quick work, practically ripping the shirt off and risking permanent damage as he yanked his zipper down. Everything ended on the floor somewhere behind him.

  Though she confirmed her desire for this, he forced himself to say, “Last chance.”

  If she changed her mind or hinted in the slightest way that she wasn’t ready, he’d leave. He’d walk away and not bother her even if it went against the warring need to be deep inside of her.

  Antonia blinked up at him. “I want you, Drake.”

  Drake swallowed hard. Despite what he’d already done, he tried to think of her and not his greed. “Am I moving to fast for you?”

  “Not fast enough.”

  And that easily, Drake found himself relaxing as he lowered his weight atop Antonia. The bed dipped with the motion. “Not fast enough, huh?”

  She shook her head, an impish smile playing about her mouth. “Unh unh.”

  “Then let me remedy that.”

  And he did.

  True to his promise of earlier, Drake rolled her over onto her belly and pulled her hips back so she ended on all four. Black hair splayed about her shoulders and the sheets. Drake’s shaft throbbed as he stroked it with a firm grip in an effort to hold back his release. Womanly curves, round and plump everywhere and he wanted to come from the sight alone.

  “Hurry, Drake.”

  He gripped her thighs and slammed forward. Toni cried out, her fingers clawing at the sheets. Drake held her hips tight, eased out then slammed forward again.

  “Yes, harder,” she tossed her head back, lips parted.

  Drake settled on a rhythm working her as hard as she requested and filling his need to own her, to imprint a part of himself on her so she’d never forget this moment.

  He closed his eyes to hold it longer but the primal side of him continued to throw images of him and Antonia across his lids. Antonia on her hands and knees as he crawled behind her. Antonia’s black hair gripped in his fist while he tipped her neck back exposing her throat to his lips and teeth. Then his personal favorite: Antonia on her knees, mouth enclosing his aching length as he rocked back and forth. Her eyes would glaze over, lips dewy from her efforts.

  That’s how Drake wanted her. Anyway he could imagine.

  Her moans became breathy pants as she came which dragged his release forward. Drake braced on one forearm to hold her steady as the pleasure sucked him under. His last thought was that he never wanted to let her go.

  Chapter 9

  Sore didn’t describe Toni’s awkward hobble to the bathroom. At the doorway separating the bedroom from the bathroom she paused and glanced back. Drake lay on his stomach deep asleep. His strapping body took up a large section of the mattress not that she’d complained. The covers hung half on the floor and half on the bed but none of it hid his naked form from view. Drake’s body was a work of art.

  Small thin scratches marred one side of his shoulder. Heat suffused her cheeks. Never had she marked a man during sex but she’d been out of control last night. Every touch, every kiss sent her spiraling and she gave up worrying about how to react, allowing the pleasure to consume her.

  Afterwards they’d spooned. Somehow they’d found a way to invade one another’s space and cuddle. Outwardly Drake didn’t seem to be the type of guy who’d want that. There was the clean cut businessman in a suit and there was the other version with jeans and boots with chains. Two decidedly different looks for the same man. The memory of being held in his arms flashed through her mind. She’d curled into the warm embrace as if it was the most natural thing.

  The dip in his back drew her eye to the taut mounds of a very fine ass. One leg extended to the end of the bed and the other was bent at the knee where the crook gave her a peek at the area between his thighs. Even in repose his shaft looked as if it could go another round. Shaking her head at the fanciful thought, Toni went into the bathroom and closed the door quietly.

  As she passed the mirror, Toni couldn’t help smiling. There were four distinct red blemishes on the upper curve of her breasts and a deep purple slash at the base of her throat. Drake had done his part to leave marks on her as well. Talk about glorious sex. Chrissy wouldn’t believe her. Drake had been insatiable and spent hours showing how much he wanted her. Toni wasn’t certain he would have stopped if she hadn’t passed out and fallen asleep in the wee hours of the morning.

  She knotted her hair and hummed under her breath as she let the steaming water ease her pains. Tender and aching, nothing seemed permanently damaged. Amusement tickled and Toni hugged the feeling inside. Staring at the wet tiles, a snicker escaped anyway as she washed quickly. Fog left the bathroom immersed in a cloud when she was done. Grabbing a towel from the rack, she stepped out.

  “Good morning, Antonia.”

  She screamed, clutching the towel to her front. Drake stood in the now open doorway of the bathroom wearing only his black slacks from the night before. The button and zipper were undone leaving matters in gravity’s hands. His blond hair was hopelessly mussed but the sleep tousled waves looked good on him. A lazy smile played about his mouth. His eyes sparked and he appeared fully rested. Unlike her.

  “You scared the crap out of me,” she managed, pressing a hand to the erratic thud in her chest.

  “Sorry.” He didn’t sound the least apologetic and the half-grin didn’t reflect remorse either as he folded his arms over his chest to lean a shoulder against the door jamb.

  Toni took a deep breath and wrapped the towel about her figure. Thankfully the inn splurged on bath sheets and the material sufficiently covered her. With the bright light of morning she wondered if she should feel awkward. She’d had sex with a stranger. Sort of. Crazy, good sex.

  Was their protocol for how to interact with a lover you’d met on the internet? Did they part? Go their separate ways and pretend it didn’t happen? But she considered them friends and that didn’t seem right either.

  “Would you like to go down for breakfast together?”

  The question came as a surprise. “You want to have breakfast?”

  He let out a huff of laughter and headed in her direction. His feet were bare. “Yes, Antonia, I’d like to have breakfast.”

  Drake didn’t stop until they were chest to chest. He kissed her brows then his fingers tugged at the damp ends of her hair. With one pull, the mass fell about her shoulders. Toni closed her eyes and soaked in the sensation of his fingers running through the length. With an ea
sy display of strength, he lifted her and sat her on the edge of the sink. He slipped between her parted legs before she could think to close them.

  “What are you doing, Drake?” Her lids fluttered open.

  He feathered brief, wet kisses up her neck. “Saying good morning properly.”

  Instant awareness and the punch of sexual heat burst back into full effect. When his mouth touched hers, she tipped her head up to kiss him back. Toni gripped his shoulders to keep from falling backward.

  Lost in the sensation of rediscovering the wonderful things he could do with his mouth, she almost missed his fingers slipping into the edges of the towel. The terry cloth parted and the rough pads of his thumbs strummed her nipples as soon as they were revealed. Her legs clenched around his waist as Drake leaned closer and groaned into her mouth.

  Once more dampness grew between her thighs and her hips rocked upward. How quickly he brought her to arousal. The press of his straining shaft rubbed against her center and the towel fell completely to the counter. An icy chill from the tile countered the rising heat from the body in front of her. His hands changed direction and stroked up and down her sides, his bare chest aligned with her own. Her head tilted to the side as his hands smoothed their way down and stopped at the crease between her thighs and hips.

  “Come back to bed,” he murmured, slanting his head to nibble her jaw.

  Toni was tempted. Really tempted. But she couldn’t let herself fall straight back into bed with him no matter how much she wanted to. “Can’t.”

  “Can.”

  “Drake.” Toni pushed at his shoulders fighting the seductive pull of the nips and licks. “Drake.”

  “All I can think about is making you come again. Right here.” The silky whisper combined with the tweak of her tight buds had her jumping.

  Licking her lips was turning into a nervous habit around him.

  “Hmmm.” His teeth grazed her collarbone and Toni dug her nails into him.

  Only his arms kept her upright. Biting and scratching. Who was she? This overt sexual behavior was unlike her and nothing like her past experiences with men but each time Drake used his teeth on her Toni was primed to come. Like now.

  Drake shifted from pinching the tips of her breasts to kneading the full mounds. He tilted his head back to blatantly stare as he played. Naked with him slightly clothed drowned Toni in waves of sensory input. Her hands grasped for his hair. Anything to use as an anchor. Drake banded an arm around her body to brace her weight then lowered the other to grip the edge of the sink. He did all of this without breaking her gaze.

  “What would you say if I wanted you to come right now, Antonia?”

  She shivered as he presented his proposal again in a husky voice. Words wouldn’t spill past her lips. Drake released the sink to place a hand directly over her center. Two fingers parted her already slick entrance. Embarrassment flared at being aroused from their simple touches but she jerked when he inserted a third and pressed directly over her clit.

  Her ragged moan choked out his name. “Draaake.”

  “Hold on.” He moved the arm from her back and directed her hands down to plant on the counter behind her. The move shifted her weight backward and thrust her breasts upward in offering. With her legs splayed about his hips, the pose should have been awkward but aside from the flush burning her cheeks from the blatant display, Toni did as he asked.

  He nudged her hair away, sending the length cascading down her shoulders and back. He licked a path up the side of her neck while his fingers continued to do their best to destroy her. Toni’s hips pistoned in time to the flicks of his thumb, her thighs spreading wider in surrender.

  She swallowed, determined to say something. “Maybe it wouldn’t be bad if you made it quick.”

  She’d be late for her scheduled appointment but the look in Drake’s eyes said the delay would be well worth it. He paused, mouth and busy hand coming to a complete stop then explosive laughter sounded.

  “Quick? You’ll pay for that later.” Restrained humor accompanied the sensuous threat as he returned his attention to revving her desire.

  After last night if anyone asked, Toni would have stated her dreams could be fueled for the next year from those memories alone. The idea of a replay hadn’t crossed her mind. Well, at least she hadn’t had a chance to think about it but now Drake was living up to every romantic movie she’d ever watched, every book she’d ever read.

  “No thinking, more coming” he ordered and kissed her, sucking her bottom lip, teeth biting.

  Way better than the movies Toni thought right before his sexual demand pulled another climax from her.

  “Loved watching you. Want to do it again.”

  Toni blinked, trying to put the world back into focus again. Drake held his fingers up and licked each one. Holy shit. She awkwardly tried to scoot out of reach but the sink was her downfall and one side of her butt tipped in. Drake followed and blocked her, the dark look in his eyes not accepting her resistance. She laughed and grabbed the ends of his hair. Their eyes met. “I can’t. I have plans.”

  “Change them,” he ordered, breaking her hold to kiss the corner of her mouth and yank her close.

  Toni caught his roaming hands. “I can’t”

  He exhaled quietly. “Okay. But what about my original offer of breakfast?”

  She didn’t expect his turnaround but inside she danced that he thought of her wishes and backed off. Now that he’d moved away and gave her some breathing room, her eyes fell on the tented pants sagging about his hips and showing the dip at the sides of his waist. His straining erection was probably the only thing holding them up. Her mouth watered.

  “Antonia? Breakfast?”

  Her lips snapped closed. “Right. Sorry. I’d love to have breakfast, Drake.”

  His smile held hints of amusement. He knew what her gaze had locked on.

  “But I can’t. I’m signed up for a small tour.”

  His smile fell.

  “Unless you want to go, too.” Not expecting his disappointment, she left the option open ended and dared to trace her fingers down the center of his bare chest.

  “No. I’ll skip the tour.”

  ***

  Drake admitted to being slightly disappointed. For the first time in more years then he cared to count, he’d wanted to spend time outside of the bedroom with a woman he’d slept with. He only had two and a half days left in Magic and then he returned to New York. Antonia would finish her vacation and return to Florida where they’d go back to their separate ways with nothing but the late night chatting.

  Drake tensed. He didn’t want things to go back to the way they were. While Antonia cleaned up and dressed in the bathroom, he slipped on his shirt and jacket from the night before. His magic bubbled beneath the surface of his skin catching him off-guard. The feeling wasn’t one he could ignore.

  Instead of the empty hole growing inside, Drake almost felt normal. He fingered his left wrist and the silver bracelet he’d been using to help him focus his energies. The hair on his arms stood up and a slight buzz crackled around him. Maybe the silver was helping after all. With a subtle flick of his fingers, he drew his boots across the room. They bumped along the carpet and landed next to his feet.

  “Damn.” He muttered the curse and risked a glance in the bathroom where Antonia brushed her hair. Her attention stayed on styling the tumbled waves of jet black curls.

  He snapped his fingers at the bed they’d destroyed and the sheets and blankets arranged themselves with crisp tight corners. Elation roared but Drake forced it back. He’d had moments of magical clarity before. Of course nothing this consistent in weeks.

  Only by chance did he remember to check the wards he’d set around her doorway after she’d fallen asleep. Drake went to check out of habit. Instead of the familiar red glow there were specks of vibrant green and a few hints of blue. He crouched and waved his hand to bring them into focus. The wards weren’t as strong as the ones he’d set in his room bec
ause he’d planned to remove them first thing in the morning but they were enough of a temporary measure.

  “What are you doing?” Antonia’s voice asked from behind him.

  His wards were disturbed but not broken. He outlined the familiar symbol feeling the essence of his magic and something sticky. Drake knew only one creature to leave a gum like residue behind.

  “Drake? Is everything okay?”

  “Fine,” he lied smoothly, rising to his feet. “After your tour what are you doing for lunch? I promised my friend’s wife I’d try and see them for a meal while I was here.”

  Her face showed her surprise. “I can’t interrupt your lunch with your friends.”

  “You can.” He wanted them to meet her. Simon and Tory would love Antonia.

  Antonia looked doubtful. “If you’re sure.”

  Never more. “I’m certain.”

  “Alright.”

  “Great. What time will you be back?”

  She glanced at the thin watch on her wrist. “Noon.”

  Drake wanted to kiss her goodbye but if he did she’d miss her tour and they’d both probably miss going to Simon’s. “I’ll see you then.”

  He had more questions than answers now.

  Chapter 10

  Never had Toni laughed this hard in her life. Drake’s friends made her feel welcome and not once did she feel she intruded on their lunch. Simon and his wife Tory shared a connection you witnessed between married couples who were in sync with one another. Years of living together and loving one another showed in their mutual respect as well as the humor. What turned into the delight of the day was the couples’ twin boys.

  Joseph and Jonah were as animated as possible. The meal involved conversation hops only possible with the minds of children. Added to the mix was the menagerie of pets the boys seemed to collect. A tiny lizard had an honorary place at the table and their parents barely blinked. Toni on the other hand had more than blinked.