by Low, Gennita
He nodded. “I was. Until a couple of years ago when I was hired by a company that provides protection to ships, and now I guess, yachts,” he said, with a wry curl of his lips.
“This must seem like a frivolous assignment, guarding rich men and their wives.”
“I understand the need.”
She gave a nod, searching for another question so she could hear his rough voice. The tone of which made need swirl in her belly. “So…protection for ships. Are you talking protection against pirates for transport ships?”
“Yes.”
Anyone who’d watched the news in recent years knew just how dangerous his job was. Before she could stop it, a shiver ran over her skin. “But you’re off the clock right now?”
“My men are patrolling the dock and the grounds. As are Halloran’s own men.”
“So we’re safe. From pirates,” she said, arching a brow.
He shrugged. “Not many operate in these waters, and they prefer to conduct their business at sea. Ships…yachts are more vulnerable. Access to an estate like this calls for more manpower. And escape can be trickier.” His head dipped in a short nod. “So yes, we’re safe here.”
“Good to know.” She lifted her chin. “We shouldn’t worry about interruptions then. Are we done with introductions?”
Not moving, he studied her, his gaze narrowing on her face. “You should know something about me.”
She held her breath, something in his stillness telling her she’d better pay attention to what he said.
“I’m not polite,” he said softly. “And I get to be a little rough.”
Sucking in a quick breath, she took a step closer. “I’m not so hung up on manners, Dex. And I’m not fragile.”
“I’m safe for you to be with.”
“Safe?” She shook her head. “That’s the last thing I want.”
“You know what I mean. I’m clean, Lace.”
“So am I.” She shrugged, echoing his casual movement although casual was the last thing she felt. Wired, hungry—now, there were two emotions she could seriously relate to. “Doesn’t mean you’re going without. Condoms are in the bedside table…just so you know.”
His lips quirked. “I wasn’t angling to go uncloaked. I just thought you should know you don’t have to worry. Also, once we start, I won’t ask for a thing. I won’t allow any modesty.”
She took one more step, halting a foot in front of him. With him seated, for once she had the advantage of height. “Thought I made it clear this afternoon, I’m not shy.”
His gaze dropped to her chest. “Then you won’t have a problem untying the knot at the back of your neck and letting that scrap of silk drop.”
The way his voice rasped caused quivers to ripple down her abdomen. Her knees wobbled, but she reached slowly behind her neck, keeping her gaze locked steady with his ice-blue eyes, and slipped the knot free. For a couple seconds, she held the fabric against her chest as it loosened, not out of modesty, but to tease, then slowly pushed it downward, exposing her breasts.
“Drop it to the floor.”
When she spotted his eyebrows drawing together in a frown, her body shuddered. Electricity sparked; blood surged. Gooseflesh prickled on her skin, and her nipples dimpled. If just the razor edge of his voice could do this to her, what reactions would he wrest when his hard hands roamed her body?
She pushed the dress down over her hips and held still. The flare of his nostrils and the intensity of his sharp gaze as it fell on her bare mound reassured her that forgoing any undergarments had been the right choice.
“Turn around.”
With her arms at her sides, she turned as gracefully as she could manage on rubbery legs. A moment later, a callused palm cupped one side of her bottom, lightly smoothing over her skin before it lifted to touch the other side. Tingles erupted where he touched her.
“Turn again.”
She complied, facing him, knowing her expression gave away her desire for him to continue touching her.
This time, she watched as he lifted a breast, hefting its weight. A thumb scraped her nipple, and she gasped, unable to hold back even the slightest reaction. She was intensely aroused, every nerve firing, waiting…
With a casual move, he slid a hand into a pocket of his trousers and pulled out a length of black silk, skinnier than a tie. Then he stood and walked around her. Hands glided down her arms. Fingers cinched around her wrists and brought them together.
She drew a deep breath, but didn’t complain as he bound her wrists behind her. Her posture changed, breasts thrust forward, and the firm globes hardened.
Then, cupping her hands, he led her to the soft linen-covered sofa. “Bend over it while I undress.”
“Why can’t I watch?”
A hand tapped her bottom. “Am I in charge?” he whispered by her ear.
Lace closed her eyes for a second. “Yes.” For now.
“That’s good.” Then he moved away.
Since she didn’t hear any rustling of clothing, she guessed he waited for her to obey. Frowning, she bent forward, draping herself over the top of the sofa. Then because she was a little annoyed with herself for being this meek, she scuffed apart her heels, widening her stance to expose her sex. She wasn’t some submissive mouse. Sure, she liked a guy to take charge, but only because she loved the challenge of bucking against his authority.
A soft chuckle sounded behind her, and his steps moved away.
The swish of curtains reminded her the windows had been open throughout her little striptease. She groaned. “Do you think anyone saw?”
“Why are you worried? You’re not modest.”
“I’m also not usually moved to public displays.”
“Anyone passing by wouldn’t have seen much more than you were eager to display on the Clementine today.”
Her pulse raced. “You’re an ass.”
“I’m not nice. I thought we already covered that.”
But he was closer now. A clink sounded as a belt buckle hit the floor. More soft shuffling sounds indicated he was stripping. How she wished she could turn and have a look. It wasn’t fair. He’d seen every inch of her body, but he denied her the tiniest peek at his.
“Don’t be impatient.”
Had he heard her huff? “I’m not. I’m bored.”
Fingers stroked her sex.
Her pussy tightened.
“No, you’re not.” His fingers slid away.
She sagged forward, burrowing her face into the seat cushion. He was driving her crazy. Just one more thing she found irresistible about the cranky man. Too bad they were unlikely to ever cross paths again. A man like this might be worth keeping.
Dex stood naked behind the woman who squirmed so impatiently on the sofa. He raised his hand and licked the fingers he’d glided in her moisture. His nostrils flared, taking in her musky, sea-fresh scent and he nearly groaned. She smelled like heaven.
Lace McElhannon was exactly the sort of partner he liked. Sass-mouthed and stubborn. So beautiful she made his teeth ache. Funny and smart.
And completely out of reach. A pity this party wasn’t lasting longer. His plan to enjoy her company for just one night was revealed for the lie it had always been. After only a few minutes together, he wanted so much more.
He’d been hard since his first sight of her slender back, bared by the little orange number that had held the attention of every man on the veranda. And she’d been oblivious to her appeal. The changes in the way she held herself as he’d approached, her shoulders going from relaxed to tense, told him she’d been waiting…for him. Why he’d cooled his heels so long, he didn’t know. He’d dressed, then wondered if he should go at all. But in the end, the picture of her seated on the upper deck with her naked breasts, set so high and ripe, had drawn him outside.
Every argument he’d given himself flew right out the window the moment he’d found her being chatted up by that sleaze, Troy Bennett. Jealousy had burned through him. The instant the other man
moved away, Dex had strode in to stake his claim. His shoulders had bunched; his fists had curled. He’d had to fight to relax before he said a word to draw her attention.
But Halloran hadn’t missed Dex’s dilemma. The sly old bastard had given him a grin and a two-fingered salute, knowing full well he’d have two less people at his dining table that evening.
Halloran wasn’t the usual sort of rich guy. He’d made his money gambling big on investments, losing millions, gaining billions. Never seeming to sweat the market, always wearing a cocky grin. This adventure was typical of his nature. He’d invited wealthy friends as well as strangers to join him, offering a chance, not to show off his wealth, but to widen his circle of friends. And he’d made them pay for the privilege, donating all the funds to local charities, but his thinking was they’d appreciate his invitation more if they were invested.
Maybe he was right.
When Dex and his team had arrived before the guests, Halloran spent the evening wining and dining them, asking so many questions about their pasts, so easily pushing past barriers military men tended to erect to keep their secrets buried, that Dex had admired his flair.
The host’s interest was genuine. He didn’t care that they didn’t own much more than the gear they carried. He was respectful of their skills and experiences. When their own private quarters proved to be just as luxurious as any of the guests, Dex’s respect had grown even more.
And Dex knew Halloran wasn’t worried about what might be happening between a hardened warrior and a beautiful young woman. Dex was free to explore this attraction. No division existed between staff and guest, just an invitation to pleasure—so long as the work still got done.
Before he’d sought out Lace, Dex had made sure the patrols were set, and that the men watching the security cameras set around the estate were rested and alert. Now, he was free to play. With Lace’s sweet round ass pointed his way, he knew exactly where he wanted to start.
His cock was full, heavy. But he ruthlessly ignored his own arousal. Striding toward her, he reached out, trailing a hand over her back, curving a palm around her side, noting the supple muscle beneath her silky flesh. At the flare of her hips, he raised his other hand and cupped the notches at both sides, already imagining gripping her just like this while he took her from behind, holding her steady as he plowed her slippery depths.
But there was so much more to explore. He knelt and lifted one of her feet, sliding off the tall sandal and then lifting her foot to rub his cheek against her tender instep. Her gasp and muffled giggle made him smile. He turned to her other foot and stripped it, then slid both hands up the backs of her thighs, his thumbs massaging the inner curves, moving upward until he slid them into the crevices framing her engorged pussy.
Her breaths were short, shuddering through her tense body. She waited for him to make a move. To take her with his mouth. And because that was exactly his intention, he bent toward her, inhaling her fragrant sex before he opened his mouth and pulled her thickened outer lips inside to suck.
Her legs trembled, making him smile again. He stroked her sex with his tongue, giving her a flat swipe from her clit, across the center of her folds, and then higher, continuing until he touched her small rosette with the tip of his tongue.
Her reaction was perfect—a slight jerk, a tightening of her bottom and long, toned legs. She was unaccustomed to being touched there, and he couldn’t wait to sweep past any inhibitions she might harbor. But for now, he centered his attention on the ripening bud he’d detected at the bottom of her folds.
Pursing his lips, he sucked her clit, pulling on it, tapping it with his tongue while he drew harder and harder, reveling in the breathy moans he elicited as he tortured her with his targeted nips and laps and tugs. Her thighs widened, the muscles of her ass bunched, and when he felt the throbbing pulse against his mouth, he thrust two fingers inside her channel, pleased to find her drenched.
But he didn’t want her coming this way. Not their first time. He sat back on his haunches, dragging in deep breaths, slowing his heart and fighting his desire to lunge upward and plow deep inside her.
She wanted it. Expected it. And that was precisely why he wouldn’t.
Dex stood and gripped her shoulders, helping her to stand and holding her against his chest.
She shivered, rubbing like a kitten against his skin, her head thrown back. Her bound hands curled upward and gripped his balls.
A challenge he chose to ignore. But need dove deep in his gut.
Smiling, he reached around and cupped her breasts, lightly tweaking the nipples. He bent and kissed her cheek. “I want a soft bed beneath you before I take you.”
“You know where it is,” she said, her breathy whisper too soft to be sassy.
Something he was sure annoyed her. Dex plucked at the silk bow he’d tied, freeing her hands. “My rules. Whatever I ask.”
Her head turned, her shoulders sliding sideways across his chest so she could meet his gaze. Her eyes were narrowed. “And if I disobey?”
God, he hoped she would, but he gave her a thin smile. “Then there will be punishment.”
“And that’s supposed to keep me in line?” Her mouth stretched into a wide grin. “I like you, Dexter Haygood.”
Not the response he’d expected. And one that made his chest expand. “I like you, too,” he said, which was a truth he realized as soon as he said the words. “But I still expect obedience.”
“Why? Do you really want women to cater to your every kink?”
Dexter dropped his head to hide his wide grin and gave her shoulder a kiss. “Try me. I’ve given you fair warning.”
When he raised his head, her expression was naked. Filled with desire and a little fear. She wanted him. Wanted everything he’d bring. And she needed him to strip away her inhibitions, leave her without an artifice to hide behind. Make her vulnerable.
Something he craved to do, but worried that doing so would open his own heart a little wider than he was willing. But his cock throbbed. Her body melted against his. Damn, if it wasn’t already too late to keep an emotional distance between them.
He turned her inside his arms, cupped her butt and drew her upward.
Her legs rose, encircling his hips with a strong grip. Her arms came around his shoulders. He didn’t dare kiss her again now, even though her swollen mouth was tempting, or he’d fuck her where he stood.
Instead, he turned toward the short hallway and strode to her bedroom. With every step, his body grew harder. He’d have her now. Take her in every way he’d imagined since he’d first seen her aboard the Clementine. He hoped she was ready.
Chapter Three
‡
With his long, hard shaft rubbing against her open sex with every step, Lace felt her anticipation ratcheting upward one stride at a time. She had yet to see his entire body, but the feel of his thickness trapped between their bodies was enough to make her swoon. Or maybe it was the fact she was panting, her breaths coming fast and shallow while her body trembled with excitement.
Everything he said, everything he did, tightened the tension coiled inside her belly. Even the way he held his jaw as he marched—taut, hard. Sweet Jesus, she knew he was as turned on as she was, just as desperate to fuck. But would he make them both wait…again, stretching out foreplay until they were both at a fever pitch? Or would he toss her down and have at it? Because hey, they were both more than ready. Either way, she didn’t care.
Oh, that was a lie. She wanted him up inside her fast. Wanted him churning his hips to whip up some sexy cream. Cripes, she didn’t usually think of sex like she was the star of a porno movie, but with him, she wanted to rise to whatever challenge he issued—be the centerfold in his dreams when he jerked off.
Which meant she had to fight him going too fast. She needed to make an impression, make sure she was the best he ever had. She narrowed her eyes, searching for a response in his. But for a girl who didn’t usually think a lot when she was doing it, planning any
sort of strategy to seduce was impossible, as scattered as her thoughts were now. Her need for an orgasm was just too great.
And he’d already reached her bedroom, was approaching her soft bed. He halted beside it, and she lowered her legs. But her knees were weak, her muscles loose.
She dropped down, kneeling in front of him. With her face level with the object of her lust, she followed her instincts, reaching up to cup his balls again and give them a gentle tug. The hard stones were the size of ripe plums, his love stick was thick with a slight upward curve, reddened, and with a tracery of blue veins.
As pretty and perfect as any dildo in her pleasure chest.
She leaned closer and rubbed her cheek up one side of his shaft and down the other, all the while breathing deeply to inhale his spicy, masculine musk.
When his fingers dug into her scalp to make her rise, she resisted, sticking out her tongue to lap at his balls, then quickly pulling one into her mouth where she laved it with her tongue, over and over, her lips surrounding it to pull and caress. No man she’d ever been with could resist a hungry woman bent on giving him the blowjob of his life.
For a moment, his fingers eased, then dug deeper, forcing her to inch upward.
Which she was happy to do. She opened her mouth, rubbing her lips and tongue along the side of his cock before she curled her fingers around his shaft and dragged it downward. When she rubbed the cap of his dick against her wet mouth, she knew she had him because he gave a deep, growly groan.
She almost smiled, but quickly locked her lips around him and sucked. A drop of pre-come smeared on her tongue and she swallowed, enjoying the salty flavor while noting the tension of his fingers and his muscled thighs crowding closer. She sank deep, taking him to the back of her throat while her fingers ringed the base of his cock. She liked his girth, his length. Her heart did a little happy dance because she’d never been with a man this well-made.
Fingers pinched her earlobe and twisted.
She opened her jaw and leaned away, her head canting to ease the sting. “Ouch.”
“Enough, Lace. I want you on the bed.”
