Protection

by Shelley Munro

  “I love chocolate. Can’t you tell?” She possessed generous curves. Too generous, according to Steven yet James didn’t seem to have a problem with her ample shape. And yes, the man was too dashing and dangerous for her peace of mind. Irresistible.

  “Alice?”

  A smile kicked up her lips. “Yes.”

  “I have chocolate.”

  “Oh.” Her pulse raced a tad faster and a heavy pulsating sensation burst into life at the juncture of her thighs. She stirred restlessly, the tension from the scarf bindings driving her desire higher. Being bound was an incredible turn-on. If it weren’t for James, she’d never have known.

  “Part your legs as far as you can.”

  It was as if he read her mind, knew how arousing she found the situation he’d placed her in, how provocative. But she was learning how to tease back. Taking her sweet time, she followed his instructions until the scarves stopped her from moving any more. Cool air brushed across her moist folds. She wondered what he saw and what he’d do next.

  Her imagination ran wild, thinking up all sorts of sexual scenarios. Maybe he’d crept from the bedroom and had left her there, tied and helpless. Her womb spasmed at the thought, a spike of awareness hitting her like a mellow wave.

  “Are you ready to play?”

  He was still in the bedroom. Her breasts prickled on hearing his husky voice. “I think so. What…what are you going to do with me?”

  “Give you pleasure,” he whispered.

  She sucked in a wildly excited breath. Her very own sexual pleasure slave. The texture of his voice, rough and smoky, plus her imagination brought a flood of arousal. A tickle of sensation whispered across her breasts, her nipples pulling tight in reaction. Alice couldn’t tell if it was because of her sexual thoughts or caused by James. A brush of warm air wafted across one taut nipple.

  “James?”

  “Yes?” When he spoke another puff of warm air feathered across her sensitive flesh.

  Alice nibbled her bottom lip. She wasn’t sure she enjoyed the helpless sensation. “Could you talk to me while you’re doing whatever it is you’re going to do? My imagination is running rampant.”

  “A lot of people enjoy bondage,” he whispered near her ear. The brush of lips tickled her neck. A nibble of teeth scraped across the delicate flesh. “I know you’re aroused. I can smell your juices.”

  Heaven help her, it was true. Although the feelings coursing through her were tinged with a trace of unease, she could hardly deny the erotic pleasure that moistened her pussy and pulled her body taut. It was official. She’d edged into kinky. “I need you to make me come,” she said in a firm voice. Not only kinky but determined. Her initial hesitation had faded.

  James laughed, his fingertips feathering across the curve of one breast. “Ah, sweetheart. We’ve barely begun. The payoff will be better if we wait. But I can take away some of the mystery. I’m going to tease your body until you don’t think you can take any more. I’ll lick, nibble and suck your breasts until your pussy is flooded with honey. With my tongue, I intend to lap up your juices and tease your clit until it’s a hard little nub. My fingers will stroke you, thrusting inside. I’ll find the sweet spot that makes your climax even more explosive than normal. And then…”

  “And then what?” Breathless with anticipation, she prompted him. What would he do next?

  “And then I’m going to do it all over again.”

  Well, she could hardly argue with that. “That sounds okay. For starters.” A definite tremble resounded in her voice.

  “Good. I’d better move on to the teasing part. I’m going to apply chocolate body paint in a tribal tattoo pattern. Your breasts first.”

  “How will you apply the paint?” Her mind conjured up several possibilities. His tongue. His fingers. Heck, she’d even heard of a man who painted pictures using his penis as a brush. That sounded like a lot of fun and she’d get to clean the paintbrush later. Sudden heat filled her face. Good lord! What was she thinking? Inheriting a condom company had affected her thought processes, and it wasn’t necessarily in a good way.

  Alice considered that for a moment longer before shaking her head. Nah, that wasn’t it—she’d caught it from the elderly board members. They’d corrupted her! After all, they’d had more years to learn than she had.

  “A combination of methods,” he answered, languid and lazy. His fingers trailed across her breast again and squeezed lightly.

  Oh heck. He really was going to use his cock. A shudder of excitement swept her. The mattress shifted as James moved. She sensed he leaned over her. A wheezing groan made her jump. Seconds later cool liquid dripped between her breasts. The chill came as a shock when her skin tingled so warmly, when she felt so aroused. Wow. Alice suppressed a giggle. No cock this time. He was using a squeezy bottle. The decadent scent of chocolate drifted on the air and a hint of mint if she wasn’t mistaken.

  James moved again and she felt the liquid chocolate trickle across her belly and lower between her legs. It ran between her folds, feeling curiously erotic.

  Arousing. Amazing.

  The mattress moved again. She heard the thud of the bottle when James set it aside. The rustle of cloth indicated James was finally undressing. A pity she couldn’t appreciate the sight of the broad, muscular chest and hard thighs. He straddled her body, his knees cozying up to each side of her waist. A delicate, almost ticklish sensation made her start.

  “Steady,” he said.

  “It’s all right for you.”

  “Think of pleasure.” Dark promise laced his voice, and an instant later his mouth closed around one nipple. She sighed when the feeling jumped from her breast and ended in her pussy. He drew sharply with a strong pull of his mouth. A moan escaped. The man knew exactly which buttons to push, the things that gave her enjoyment.

  Pleasure. Yes, she could do that. With James stroking and laving her breasts, it was easy. He pinched her other nipple between forefinger and thumb and tugged.

  Alice bucked her hips upward and collided against him. He grunted so she did it again, rolling her hips in a teasing move.

  “Enough of that,” he growled.

  “You’re not going fast enough.”

  “Lie still or I won’t touch you.”

  An ominous threat. She stilled unsure if he joked or not.

  “Good girl.” His legs flexed. Alice felt a brush—she was sure it was a brush—feather over her rib cage. It wasn’t ticklish exactly, but the brush made her ultra aware and the progress of it across her skin. She inhaled deeply. James would have an intent expression on his face, his blue eyes darkening while he watched her reaction. He moved again and the brush movements went lower. He circled her belly button, gradually moving downward. James painted her thighs and legs. His fingers slipped into her drenched folds. She panted, even more moisture pooling between her thighs. He parted her folds and she felt the brush again, this time spreading chocolate syrup across her clitoris. He stroked her clit but not enough before moving again. This time he paid attention to her nipples. Alice heard the bottle hiss air and syrup again before he painted her nipples.

  Without warning he moved and whisked the scarf off her eyes. She blinked and took a sharp inhalation at the supreme male satisfaction she saw on his face. His sensual lips curled upward while his eyes glowed.

  “What do you think?” His head jerked, indicating her lower body.

  “Um…interesting,” she said. “You’re very arty.”

  “I’m also good at pleasure.”

  “Promises. Promises.” Alice held her breath waiting for him to respond to her flirtation.

  “I want to try out the rest of my paint set,” he said. “I haven’t tested this product before.”

  Ah, back to business. She bit back her disappointment and forced a smile. Testing Fancy Free’s products was the reason for them sleeping together after all. She hadn’t meant to fall for James. No, that hadn’t been part of the agreement.

  “Where else are y
ou going to paint?”

  “I’ll show you now.” James picked up the brush and dabbed it into a small tub of red paint. “Keep your legs parted for me. I’ll paint your pussy lips.” He settled between her legs and carefully painted her outer labia. “Blue paint next.” With deft strokes he painted her intimate flesh. A tingle simmered, converging low into an ache. “Some green. And black.” A few brush strokes later, he sat back to admire his handiwork. “Very pretty,” he said in approval.

  “I’ll take your word for it.”

  James frowned then the lines on his forehead evened out. “I have just the thing.” He wandered from the bedroom leaving her alone. When he didn’t return straight away, she started to worry. Alice tested the bindings, but to her frustration, she couldn’t free herself. Just as she panicked, footsteps approached the bedroom and made her still, her anxiety subside.

  “I knew I had a mirror.” James wandered back to the side of the bed, unconcerned with his nakedness. His cock bobbed up and down with each step, drawing her attention. Alice licked her lips, wishing she could touch, lick, suck.

  “I won’t be able to see if you don’t untie me.”

  James grinned and set the mirror aside. He untied both her hands and helped her sit up. After picking up the mirror again, he set it between her legs.

  A splutter of laughter shook Alice. “I look like a very strange dart board!”

  “Katarina and Harriet reckoned X marked the spot.”

  “I bet the boys liked that,” Alice said, her tone dry.

  “There was some good-natured banter.”

  “I’m glad I wasn’t there and dragged into the conversation.” Alice shuddered. “The oldies have no shame.”

  “I don’t want to talk about them. I have more important things in mind.”

  “Tell me,” she said.

  A rough growl vibrated in his chest. “Lie down and let me show you.” He removed the scarves from around her ankles.

  Anything. She just wanted him, wanted to soothe the ache between her legs. Alice maintained eye contact while she reclined on the mattress.

  James moved between her legs and placed his hands beneath her bottom, lifting her to his mouth. He licked the length of her cleft, stopping just short of her clit to glance up at her. His mouth bore traces of red and green while his eyes held plain mischief. His tongue darted out to lick his lips. “Chocolate.” He didn’t give her time to comment but licked again before grabbing a condom. James rolled it over his erection and turned to her full of leashed power. A muscle jumped in his jaw and the humor left his eyes. This was a man intent on pleasure.

  Their lips met. Mated. He plundered her mouth, and when they pulled apart, they both breathed harshly.

  “Turn over.” James flipped her on her stomach before she had a chance to question him. He covered her from behind while Alice waited breathlessly to see what he’d do next. James lifted her up on all fours and pushed deep into her pussy in one hard thrust. Once fully impaled, he stilled. The fire he’d kindled flared brighter. James gripped her hips then pulled back until his cock was poised at her entrance. He reached between them to activate the vibrating feature on the condom and stroked back into her pussy. He cupped her breasts and squeezed, teasing her nipples to hard points.

  Her belly quivered. The vibrating condom set off a series of tingles inside her. She gasped when he licked a path along her spine and buried himself in her hot, wet core again. It always felt so good when he pushed into her channel. His cock slid over her swollen clit and massaged the walls of her pussy. James moved faster, pumped harder. He tugged her nipples, driving her higher with the tiny pinches of pain.

  Alice pushed her butt back against his groin. He stroked again with delicate precision. Tiny flutters grew. Flesh slapped against flesh. A shiver speared through her body. This man…he was so damned sexy. He played her like a musical instrument, heat stabbing her when he rubbed a finger across her clit.

  “James.” She scarcely recognized her own voice. It was a groan, an indication of the way he made her feel. The condom continued vibrating. She trembled with raw need. Another thrust and a pass of his fingers and she shattered, exploding for long seconds afterward.

  James’ hips jerked. He pumped into her in short, hard strokes before freezing fully seated, his cock convulsing. Long seconds later, he kissed her shoulder and separated their bodies. After removing the condom, he lay on his side and pulled her into his arms.

  She smiled, relaxed and boneless after their loving. They’d made a mess of the sheets with the chocolate paint but it had been worth it.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “James, we need to talk. I’ve put it off but it’s been nagging me.” Alice gave an unhappy sigh while she waited for him to navigate the herd of cows on the road during their drive to work. “I’m worried.”

  He took his attention off the road to glance at her. “Sounds serious. Are you going to tell me you’re not wearing panties?”

  “No!” Laughter escaped as she shook her head. “I’m wearing one of the pairs you bought for me.”

  “Which ones? Show me.”

  “No! You’re driving. I want to make work in one piece. I want to attend this school fete that everyone is so excited about.” She paused to take a deep breath, her good humor fading. Anxiety crept into her instead.

  “Well, spit it out.” His tone sounded light and full of encouragement. “I won’t bite.” His swift peek at her face and breasts told her he’d like to snatch a nibble or two.

  “I think Rita is responsible for the bad luck Fancy Free has encountered recently.”

  “Rita? I don’t think so. Rita has worked for Fancy Free from the start. She was Alicia’s best friend. They…” James trailed off to glance at her again.

  “What?”

  “Not many people knew but it doesn’t matter if I tell you the truth. Alicia and Rita lived together.”

  Alice frowned, her mind tripping ahead of the conversation. Surely not? “As housemates? Or something else?”

  “Lovers,” he said, quashing her hastily erected illusions. “People knew they shared a house, but most thought they were just friends. They were very circumspect when out in public.”

  “Oh.”

  “I thought you’d have known since Alicia was family.”

  “No,” said Alice faintly. “I didn’t really know my godmother. Heck, the condom company was a shock.”

  “It’s a wonder someone didn’t tell you. Sloan is a small town.”

  Her parents must have known her godmother had a female lover. Alice attempted to untangle the mess of thoughts flooding her mind. Lovers. That didn’t make sense. Rita was the only person with opportunity. If not Rita, then who had done it? “The budgets were changed before they went to the bank. I didn’t do it and I’m pretty sure you didn’t either. That leaves Rita. I’ll show you when we get to work. I suspect where the problem is now. It came to me this morning.”

  “While we made love?” he asked, with a conspiratorial grin.

  “While I was in the shower.”

  “We made love in the shower.”

  “Yes.” Her tone sounded prim and a little proper. “And in the kitchen and outside against the car last night.” She squirmed on her seat, the twinge of overused muscles directing her mind to the previous night of loving.

  He pulled into the car park behind Fancy Free and parked in his usual space near the door. He switched off the ignition. “But you had fun.”

  “Yes.” An understatement. The heat of her skin intensified. Even though sensual aches accompanied her today, she’d didn’t regret a second.

  “Excellent.” He leaned across to brush a kiss on her cheek. “Why don’t you check out of the bed and breakfast and move in with me? There’s a spare bedroom you can use. Besides it will save you money.”

  He climbed from the car without waiting for her reply. With her heart thudding erratically, she grabbed her handbag and clipboard and hurried after him. “James, wait.”


  “Made a decision already?” His casual tone gave no indication as to what he wanted her to do.

  “Are you sure?” The spare bedroom? What exactly did he have in mind?

  “I’m positive.”

  Alice hesitated before blurting, “Separate bedrooms?” She wanted to make sure they understood each other from the start.

  “Only if that’s what you want,” he said. “I thought you might like a room to keep your things.”

  She beamed. Okay, that was clear. “Thanks. I’ll be the perfect housemate.”

  “I’m not here for much longer and I need someone to housesit for me anyway. I’d prefer someone I know.”

  And maybe not. The reminder of his fast-approaching departure date took the shine off his offer. Pride bade she keep her thoughts concealed, her smile intact. James had never promised happy ever after.

  Wanting a future was her dream, her problem, not his.

  “Thanks,” she managed, even though the word almost choked her. Her problem. “Will you look at the budgets? I’m spending the morning in the office before heading out to the fete. I promised Lindy I’d help her deliver her cookies.”

  “I need to make a few calls first and I want to check on dispatch to make sure there aren’t any problems with the orders due to ship. I might not make it to see you this morning.”

  She nodded, maintaining an impassive expression to cover her hurt. He didn’t believe her. Fine. She’d gather her facts and present the evidence. She hurried down the passage to her office, noting at the back of her mind that the moss-green carpet needed replacement.

  Laughter from the boardroom slowed her steps. She peeked through the partially open door and saw everyone present apart from Richard. The scent of coffee and cinnamon floated on the air. Alice’s nose twitched and she stepped inside, giving into temptation. Cinnamon buns. Oh boy.

  “Ah, here she is!” The tinge of glee in Harriet’s voice halted Alice. She scanned the faces of the other board members—Joseph, Ben and Katarina. Even Rita bore a smirk.