by Deanna Lee
I stayed where I was for several hours as he worked. Moving, stretching, and standing when he suggested it. It was nearly midnight when he set down the tool he’d worked with and his gaze moved over my legs and hands. He frowned and then glanced at the clock on the wall.
“You should have let me know it was so late.”
“You were in a good place.” I stretched my legs out in front of me and lay back in the chair.
He came to me, his hands covered with dust from the alabaster, and knelt in front of the chair. I moved my legs as he ran his fingers along the back of my knees. The dust on his hands was rough, and the sensation was delicious.
“Your trust in me is amazing. Had I known that was what you hid, I’m not sure I would have manipulated you into posing for me.” He cleared his throat. “Your presence and personality were challenging. I wanted to strip you down, get rid of all the social pretense we put in place for civility, so that I could see what you were really about.”
“And now?”
“Now I am amazed that you trust me as much as you do.”
Gently, he pulled me forward until I was sitting closer to the edge of the chair, and lifted one leg onto his shoulder. Then he lowered his head to me and slipped his tongue between my labia.
I fell back against the chair and curled my fingers into the armrests. I got so hot so fast that I could barely think. His tongue rushed warm and wet against my clit before slipping into me. The dipping motion of his tongue and the brush of his lips felt so perfect. I lifted my hips briefly and then sank back into the chair as Shame pressed two fingers into my cunt.
“Fuck.” Closing my eyes, I forced myself to relax as his lips closed gently over my clit. He used the tip of his tongue to lick and tease me.
I cried out when he lifted his head and stood.
Shame pulled me from the chair and guided me toward the stairs. Hot and mentally weak with lust, I went with him. Once more, I found myself at the foot of his bed, watching him undress. He rolled on a condom while I crawled up onto the bed and lay on my back. Running my hands over my thighs, I could already imagine him inside me.
“Come here,” I demanded softly as I pulled my legs up and placed my feet flat on the mattress. “Now. I’m in no mood for play.”
“Neither am I.” He put one knee on the bed and inclined his head as he looked me over. “Get on your hands and knees.”
Smiling, I sat up and then rolled to my knees. His hands skimmed down my back as he joined me on the bed and kissed my shoulder softly. I closed my eyes and curled my hands into the sheets as he pressed me gently into position. His cock brushed between my thighs, and I got wetter. Widening my legs, I arched a little and groaned when the head of his cock brushed the entrance of my pussy.
“Don’t tease me.”
“Oh, I’m not.” His promise was soft and silky as he pushed into me. His cock stretched and filled me in a way that was mindblowing. Sucking my bottom lip, I closed my eyes as he steadily pressed fully inside me.
“Am I hurting you?” His hands drifted down my back and pulled at my hips.
“No.” I pushed back against him, rocking my hips. “More.”
His breathing quickened, and he sucked in air through his teeth. “Do that again.”
I did as he requested as he started to move. Each time I pulled him inside me, I couldn’t help but think that he belonged there, deep in my body. We were two parts of a beautiful union, the likes of which I’d never known. This was what mating felt like. I curled my fingers into the sheets, moaned with clenched teeth. I’d never had this with a man, and I knew that I would do all I could to keep him in my life for as long as he would allow it.
Shame pulled from me abruptly and stroked my back. “Lay on your back, I want to see your face when you come.”
I turned on my knees to face him and met his gaze. Running one hand down his sweat-dampened chest to his stomach, I leaned forward and smiled when he moved closer. I moaned softly against his mouth and wrapped my arms around his neck. The kiss deepened, and his tongue thrust into my mouth.
He lifted me, coaxed my legs around his waist, and put me on my back. Breaking the kiss, he pressed his cock into me. I arched under him and shuddered when he slid his hands underneath and cupped my ass. The tips of my breasts hardened further against his chest, and all I could do was clutch at him.
Shame lifted his head and watched my face intently as he slowed his pace. The thick, nearly painful intrusion of his cock inside of me was suddenly more, and I shuddered underneath him with the power of it. He slid one hand between us and pressed his fingers against my clit. The rough stimulation, combined with the steady thrust of his body into mine, forced orgasm. I screamed with it, and he buried his face in the side of my neck as he came. His body jerked hard against me.
Several minutes passed, and then he slowly pulled his cock free. My pussy clenched against the sudden emptiness, and I took a deep breath. “That was awesome.”
He laughed softly. “Yes, it was.”
I sighed. “We gotta do that again.”
“Soon.” He turned his head and looked to me. “You’re a beautiful woman.”
“Thank you.” I rolled on my side and propped up my head on one hand. “When you first saw me…what did you think?”
“That you looked like a goddess. A very cool and collected goddess. I also figured that I’d have to get pretty damn creative to get you in my studio.”
“And your bed?”
“I’m rather arrogant. Seducing you seemed a lot easier than getting you to pose for me.” He laughed when I frowned. “I really am very arrogant.”
“Yes, you are.” And I liked it. Arrogance had never been up there on my list of attractive qualities, but everything about Shamus Montgomery was attractive. I sat up reluctantly. “I should probably go home. I have an early morning.”
He sat up and ran his fingers through my damp hair. “Stay with me. I want to wake up with you.”
“Okay.” Was it really this easy?
We were still for another moment, and then he sat up. “Shower?”
“Yes.”
I rummaged around in my purse and pulled out a brush. I glanced back to the bed and leaned against the counter. Just looking at him made my mouth water. He rolled on to his side and met my gaze. I must have looked like a very hungry woman, because he smiled softly and sat up.
I ran the brush through my hair and watched him leave the bed.
“Are you about to use me for sex, Mercy?”
“Probably. How do you feel about it?”
He came to me, his gaze moving over my shoulders to my breasts. “You’re putting me in a mood, Mercy.”
“What kind of mood?”
“Possessive. Maybe a little rough.” He ran his fingers gently across my jaw. “Are you up for that kind of play?
“I trust you,” I murmured. “I would never confuse you with him.”
“That’s relieving to hear. Turn around.”
I turned around and faced the mirror. Still, I watched his hands move over my shoulders and down my arms. He pressed me against his chest as his fingers trailed over my rib cage and then upward so that he could cup my breasts. Long, gentle fingers pulled at my nipples and twisted them gently as I arched my back.
I moved against his rapidly thickening cock and arched against his hands. “Shame.”
He met my gaze in the mirror and then sank his teeth briefly into the spot where my shoulder and neck met. “Let me have you.”
“Yes.” I gasped softly and let my head fall back against his shoulder.
“Watch,” he whispered and pressed me back against him as one hand slid downward to cover my pussy.
Fingers dipped into the folds of my sex and brushed against my aching clit. “Shame.”
“Watch, Mercy.”
I forced my eyes open and watched him in the mirror. His hands moved over me, his body moved against me, and his cock pressed against my ass and slid between my thighs. Placing
my hands on the counter in front of me, I leaned forward. Shame murmured his approval and rolled my clit under his finger. I shuddered and closed my eyes briefly against the sharp pleasure.
“Don’t close your eyes.”
“It’s too much.” I bit down on my bottom lip and moaned when his fingers abandoned my clit. “Baby…”
“I’ll give you what you need.” He kissed my neck softly and then pulled me further from the counter so that I could bend over more fully.
“The bed…”
He laughed softly. “Later.”
I flushed and swallowed hard. “Okay.”
I looked at his face in the mirror and saw his determination and need. It was hard to ignore how aroused he was. Every move he made brushed his hard cock against my thigh. Spreading my legs further, I whimpered as he slid one hand back down between my legs to play with my pussy. Two fingers slid into me, and I rocked back against the invasion until he removed his fingers abruptly.
He reached out past me on the counter and plucked up a box of condoms from a basket. I watched him free a condom and toss the bag aside. Remaining still while he rolled the latex into place took more effort than I’d ever thought possible. He pressed against the small of my back until I was bent into the position he wanted. I kept my gaze on his face, enthralled with the look of him.
The man had become the center of my world, and as he pushed his cock into me, I couldn’t imagine a moment in my future without him. Hot, intense pleasure swept over me as he began to thrust deeply into my body. I pressed my hands against the counter and kept my gaze on him. Watching him push into my body again and again was just as arousing as the activity itself.
He lifted his eyes and looked in the mirror. Abruptly, he pulled from me and turned me around. I looped my arms around his neck as he lifted me off the floor and placed me on the counter.
Shame gripped my hips and thrust back into me. I pulled my legs up and wrapped them around his waist. Our gazes met as we began to rock against each other. The slick, sweet pain of his cock stretching and invading me took my breath with each thrust. I leaned back in his arms as he slipped a hand between us and slid two fingers between my labia to play with my clit.
“Fuck.” I rocked against his fingers and cock with needy, jerky movements. I came in a hard rush of sensation, and tears streamed down my face.
“Yes.” He buried his face in the side of the neck and then lifted me off the counter. “Hold on.”
He walked to the bed and sat down. I clung to him while his hands slid down my back and cupped my ass. I slid up and down on him, as he seemed to want. Shame moaned softly against the side of my neck, and I shuddered at the power of the moment. I pushed him back on the bed and started to move faster.
“Mercy.” Pleasure and frustration were laced in his voice as he said my name.
“Do you like this?”
“Yes.” He gripped my hips and urged me on. “It’s so good, baby.”
I wanted to make him come. Shame continued to thrust upward against me, raising us both off the mattress completely time and time again. He pushed two fingers between us and into the wet folds of my pussy to press against my clit.
“Shame.” I shuddered against his fingers and sat back on his thighs. “It’s too much.”
In a move that left me gasping, he turned us over and sank deep into me.
“Yes.” I dragged my nails down his back and begged for more. “Fuck me.”
“You’re perfect,” he gasped against my neck and thrust deep as he came.
CHAPTER 8
I had entered a sexual relationship with a man I barely knew, and I didn’t feel an ounce of guilt or remorse. In fact, as I strolled into the gallery, displaying an incredible amount of afterglow, I couldn’t even fake regret. I was so damn pleased with myself that the urge to tell everyone in the whole place that Shamus Montgomery had fucked me silly was overwhelming. Jane popped up from her desk the moment I finished coming up the stairs and followed along behind me into my office.
She closed the door and leaned on it. “Mercy, you got laid.”
I laughed at the look of shock on her face and sat down in my chair. “I had a very productive weekend.”
“I haven’t seen a woman look that satisfied since I got my mother two pounds of Godiva chocolate for Mother’s Day.”
Momentarily distracted, I frowned at her. “You got your mom two pounds of Godiva for Mother’s Day? I only got five pieces for Boss’s Day.”
Jane shrugged. “She pushed me out. You just sign my paycheck.”
I laughed and nodded. “Well, it’s good that you have priorities.” I flipped open my calendar and looked over my schedule. Frowning, I looked at the appointment slated for late afternoon. “Jane, what is this at three?”
“Two gentlemen from the Met in New York are coming in to have a conference with you and Mr. Storey.”
“Whatever for?” I demanded.
Jane stiffened, I imagine startled by my harsh tone. I couldn’t help it.
She cleared her throat. “They’re bringing an exhibit to Boston. We discussed this a month ago, Mercy.”
“Yes, and only Edward was coming.”
“He decided to bring a colleague along. I just added it to your calendar. I didn’t think it would be a big deal. Dr. Morrison said he was looking forward to seeing you again and knew you would be pleased that he was bringing Mr. King with him. That you were all close friends when you worked there.” She stopped talking, and I looked at her. She was staring at me hard. “You’re pale, Mercy. What’s wrong?”
I closed my eyes and turned in my chair to keep from giving the rest of the bull pen a show. I was shaking. My insides had tensed up so fast that I was starting to get a cramp in my side. Tears of frustration sprung in my eyes. It was infuriating that I couldn’t control myself. Jane’s silence was no blessing. There was no way I could tell her what I felt at that moment.
“Mercy, what have I done?” Jane asked softly.
How could I tell her that she’d invited a snake into our garden? I couldn’t. I shook my head. “Nothing. I’m just not fond of Jeff King.”
“It’s too late to tell Dr. Morrison to come alone.”
“I know.” I blinked rapidly to keep the tears away. “When I move into Milton’s office, I’m having fucking blinds put up in here and in there.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Jane whispered.
“This just can’t be happening,” I finally said.
“I’m so sorry.” Jane walked around so she could see my face. I knew from her expression that everything I was feeling was written all over my face.
“We’ll attend the meeting, and under no circumstances are you to leave me alone with Jeff King.” I wouldn’t be a coward, but I wasn’t going to give him an opportunity to hurt me again.
“I understand.”
I looked at her, met her gaze, and realized that she did. “I’d like to be alone for a while. Would you call Dr. Price and ask her if I can have an hour this morning?”
Sitting at my desk, I tried to organize my thoughts about the coming meeting. I hadn’t really thought about the meeting since I’d arranged it. I considered Edward Morrison a dear friend and had seen the meeting as something casual and unstructured. I’d talked him into letting the exhibit I had assembled for the museum come to Boston for a rare and brief appearance. It hadn’t occurred to me that Jeff would find a way to come with Edward. It should have, and I felt like an idiot for the mistake.
The moment Lesley’s assistant closed the door behind me, I sat down in the recliner and clutched my purse to my chest. It was like it happened yesterday. Like I’d never left New York. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Jeff King had taken over my world just by coming to Boston. I hated him for it. Actually, I hated him for a lot of reasons, but at the moment I hated him for being free to come to Boston.
“Normally I would let you sit there until you were ready to talk.”
I opened my eyes and
looked at her. She looked concerned, which surprised me. Lesley Price had always been very good at schooling her expression before. Even when the details of my rape had poured out of me in one explosive burst, she had sat in her chair with little emotion showing on her face.
“Jeff King is going to be in the gallery and in my office in two and half hours.” I hated even saying it. But more than that, I hated the fear that saturated my voice. “I thought I was past this, but when I realized he’d been added to the meeting, my insides curled up. I feel ruined.”
“It isn’t uncommon for a woman to fear the presence of her abuser for years after the fact. You have every right to expect your world to be free of him. Unfortunately, since you chose not to prosecute him, that expectation is a little more difficult to make a reality. Is he still calling you?” She pressed her lips together in a thin line as if she wanted to say more.
“Yes.” I nodded. “I’ve been getting hang-ups. I don’t know for sure if those are him. However, the bastard did call me on my cell phone for a little chat. He asked me to meet with him. I refused and hung up on him.”
“You said you feel ruined,” Lesley reminded me softly.
“Like I did that night. When I was lying in my office where he’d left me. I couldn’t get up, couldn’t call for help.” I pressed my fingers tightly to my lips to keep them from trembling. “I couldn’t do anything but lie there, like he’d left me.”
“But you didn’t stay there. You got up, Mercy. You got up and you’ve built a life here in Boston that makes you happy.”
“Yes.”
“Jeff King can’t take that away from you. He might try. He may see your success here as an offense. You were strong enough that you overcame what he did to you, and that might make him angry.”
“I don’t care what he thinks.” I tried to relax and carefully put my purse down on the floor next the chair. “I can’t care.”
“Whether you like it or not, Mercy, this man made a lasting impression on your mind. The fact is that you might not ever have a day where you don’t think about him. Shoving him and his actions into the back of your mind is not healthy.”
