Her inner walls clutched his shaft even more tightly, and he started to explode. The surge of electric, tantalizing sensation—the final breaking point—grasped his body, and he shook, anticipating his release. Her channel contracted again around his shaft and kept him buried deep, as Andrew took over. His hands dug into her hips and held on tight, lifting his thighs and ramming his cock as deep as possible inside.
She was almost back at another peak, yelling her pleasure to the rising sun. He moved up one hand into her long blonde hair and tugged slightly. He admired her. Her back was arched; head and neck thrust backward. Her breathing was heavy, hoarse. Her voice was raw, the sounds of her cries scratchy.
When he erupted, his entire body bucked. He had to grab her waist to keep her from being knocked off of him. He shuddered through his own, extended climax, with Abby rocking gently on him, cradling his waist and enjoying the afterglow. After he slowed and stopped, Abby collapsed on his chest. Andrew could not be happier.
***
ANDREW turned to her when he found his strength again.
“What was the second thing?”
“What?” she asked sleepily.
“You said there were two things you needed.”
“Oh,” she answered, rolling to her side to face him. “I need a seriously long run this morning. My body is aching for a good sweat, after those few days with my busted ankle.”
“There’s a gym downstairs, with several treadmills. You can work out before I get you home. How’s that?”
“I have a better idea.”
“What would you like to do?”
“Do you want to put on some running gear, swing by my place, and hit the boardwalk with me? In my neck of the woods?”
“Sure. Sounds like fun.”
“I promise, I won’t show you up too badly,” she teased. “I know you musclebound men can’t limber up enough to stretch those legs out like this lean gazelle you see resting beside you.”
“Hold on there.” He laughed. “You should know that this musclebound man limbers up every day on his home gym treadmill, between pumping the iron, and on the odd elliptical from time to time.”
“That I’d like to see,” she joked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“What, are you a betting woman?”
“Me? I never bet for real money.”
“Then what would you like to wager on?”
“I can think of a few things.” Abby was such a tease. He was getting hard just thinking about what she would bet on. “How about a foot massage? If I win, tonight you can rub my feet until I fall asleep.”
“That sounds fair, but what if I win?”
“You tell me.”
“I can choose anything at all?”
“Yes.”
“It sounds like a win for me, either way.”
“Maybe.”
“Okay. I accept. So… anything?”
“Anything.”
“I should warn you. You’re taking a big risk.”
“Try me.”
“Okay. Fair enough. If I win, after your seminar tomorrow, you are going to fly back to Lake Tahoe with me, and stay with me there until Sunday.” She looked at him and smiled. “I told you, you’re taking a big risk.”
“I’m in.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I was willing to stay there until Sunday when we were figuring out the best plan for everyone to get back here. Why wouldn’t I go back now?”
“Awesome.” He leaned in and kissed her soft lips. “For the record, I may have to do whatever it takes to make sure I win this time.”
“No fair, big guy.”
“How does that saying go? All’s fair in war and wagers?”
“Funny. By the way, what were you going to ask me at dinner last night?”
“Oh yes. I almost forgot. A couple of things actually, one of which you’re already agreeing to do as part of our bet. The other was to ask whether you were interested in going out on the yacht tonight. We won’t go into the open water, just a short cruise around the Bay for a few hours.
“That sounds magical. I’d love to.”
“Great. I’ll set it up.”
“Don’t you need to let your animal out soon?”
“I will when I get back to the cabin.”
“Okay. Let’s get ready. I gotta be at my seminar at ten this morning.”
Chapter Eight
ABBY practically crawled in through her apartment front door, wariness in her stiff legs after their run. She collapsed on the sofa before Andrew could get in the doorway. He stood hulking over her, the top of his chest glistening with sweat under the open front of his light windbreaker. It was well-earned sweat, for both of them. She had run with him through her regular route, and doubled back a few times to make it challenging for them both.
Abby was sure he had let her win. She pushed extra hard to beat him as well, but after their run, she told him she wanted to go back to the cabin with him. She loved the idea of spending time on Lake Tahoe. He told her he was happy that this time it was of her own volition, and it would just be the two of them. He stood over her now, looking like he could go another five miles, with his hands resting at his waistband, just daring her to say the words.
“So, do you want to head back to the hotel, or stay here for a bit?” His crooked smile made him appear even more boyish, in a totally sexy way.
“Stay.”
“Excellent.”
They had made a stop at the farthest point of the boardwalk. It was her favorite place to stop. When they did, she had laced her arms around his neck and whispered how much she wanted him. Right there and then. She was kidding—well, she was kidding a little. Luckily, Andrew was more reserved than she was. Now that they were back indoors, she did not want to wait either.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him to her bedroom. Still a little sore in the legs, she sat on the side of the bed, letting her fingers work fast on the inconvenient drawstring of his running pants. Then, the zipper of his windbreaker. She heard the angels sing Gloria as that zipper slipped all the way down, and his sexy, slightly tanned chest revealed itself more fully above the tank top he wore underneath. The undoing of the zipper made her so aroused. Abby was beginning to believe it was the most erotic manufactured sound ever created.
She gasped, picturing where that slim line of skin was heading. Active imagination, be damned. She had seen him time and time again, and he still had that effect on her. Her mind could never accurately recreate the sheer awesomeness that waited for her under his layers of clothes. She shifted onto her elbows to get a better look while he lowered the fabric of his track pants down his legs, revealing his plain black silk boxers.
“No kidding,” she blurted out, laughing loud.
“What?”
“Black silk boxers? They are so…” She waved her hand in the air for effect. “So hot.”
He ducked his head down to peer at it. “You think?” He winked as he asked.
She laughed again.
“I’ve only seen you in those cute cotton ones at the cottage. I can’t remember what you wore last night, or when you were here the night before. Sorry.” She furrowed her brow. “Don’t tell me you have a different wardrobe when you travel?” She paused, catching his gaze.
“Well, don’t you?” he teased.
“Nope,” she said with a smile. “I guess I’ll have to get used to it, now that I have a hundred new outfits to choose from.”
He had a look like he was processing what she had said, and then shoved his sweat pants to the floor. He leaned over to untie his sneakers and pull them off, followed by his socks, and then the pants came off. Now, clad in nothing but those spectacular boxers, he placed his hands on his hips and widened his stance. Tilting his chin up, he squared his shoulders.
“What do you think of them now?”
She whistled low. Reverting back to her previous inner dialogue, she reached her arms out and asked him to apologize for being so much
of a tease. This man was designed by God for reverence.
Eye candy, brilliance and a kind heart? Any sane girl would want him.
He’s mine.
“Take me, Andrew.”
She scooted to the edge of the bed, and spread her arms and legs wide. His grin stretched from ear to ear. His full set of straight white teeth—and that soul-shaking smile around his eyes—captured her in its sensual trap. She just sighed as he slunk onto the bed and proceeded to strip her with those teeth.
Sexiest move of the century.
He got her down to her bra and panties in record time with no hands.
“You are going to have to help me now, Abby. Roll over, or lift your hips.” His warm breath caressed her stomach, and she could swear she saw stars.
“How about I just toss these off and we get down to business?” she joked. Her voice was tight, strung a little shrill. She could admit it, she was hot and bothered—bothered because no man should be able to get her this turned on this quickly. It was unhealthy, and troublesome, and perfect.
“Please,” he answered.
Oh, and he’s a gentleman. Excellent!
She sat up. Reaching behind her back, she unclasped her sports bra and stripped the cotton straps down one shoulder, then the other. This time, Andrew whistled.
“You like?”
She shimmied her shoulder and thrust out her chest. She preened under the widening of his pupils and the way his fingers flexed on the sheets. Her breasts were small, but she was perky and so ready for him.
“Very much,” he answered. “Sorry, my hands and eyes can’t take it any longer.”
He placed his palms over her breasts and massaged them. Abby swooned. Whimpering, she collapsed back onto her elbows and let her head flop back. Closing her eyes, she savored the feel of his large, warm hands on her flesh.
Soon, his mouth replaced his hands and he was on top of her, pinning her to the sheets. She didn’t complain. She loved being under his hot chest, tight abs and strong legs. Writhing underneath him, she silently begged him for more with every nonverbal move her body could conjure.
His hand stroked down her stomach and under the elastic waistband of her panties. His fingers moved over her mound, pressing on her clit, and finally slipping along her slit. She was so wet, so ready. Andrew made her soaking wet with need every time without fail. She spread her legs wider under his exploration, and lifted her hips as he eased his digits within her core. She ground her pelvis into his hand. She had needed this so much more than she was ready to admit to anyone, including herself. She couldn’t imagine before Andrew anymore. Her body must have been in stasis, waiting for him to make her sensuality come alive and fly up to the stratosphere.
He groaned, “God, Abby. You’re so willing. I can’t be without you anymore.” In seconds, after echoing her thoughts out loud, he had them both naked, with their underwear tangled in a ball on the floor somewhere.
He braced his weight on extended arms locked beside her head, then slid forward and entered her. His thick, hard manhood promised every sort of wicked deed as it moved in deep.
“Harder,” she begged.
She thought about being on top of him, but as he picked up the pace and rammed her into the bed—the springs protesting his strength—she didn’t dare argue for position. He took her to places, and touched her in places in her mind she had never been before. She let her head dip back as she rode the waves his touch created.
Her body shuddered as she came. He had built up a powerful rhythm that caused them both to come apart into a million sharp-edged pieces of shattered ecstasy. The waves of her pleasure mounted again, at the warmth of his release, which claimed her as his again. He lowered on top of her to relax, and she felt the L-word at the tip of her tongue. She loved him. She could barely wait for him to say it to her one day soon—and wished he would open up to her about his pain. Whatever it was, it ran deep.
Chapter Nine
ABBY’s day flew by before she could blink twice. It felt that way. After Andrew left that morning, she showered and rushed to her seminar. The two hours seemed to be over so quickly—probably because she had spent most of it daydreaming about him.
It was not that the professor was dull. She had always enjoyed these morning sessions. The problem was that not thirty minutes before her seminar started, she was wrapped up in Andrew’s warmth. She could only imagine what she looked like, sitting there in the seminar boardroom. Kiss-blush wouldn’t do her dreamy-eyed musings any justice, not at all.
The rest of the day was similar. After lunch with some classmates, she spent the afternoon outlining the next section of her independent project report. She had made the effort to focus, and thankfully, had found she got into the zone with no problem. Maybe the seminar was dreary after all.
At five in the afternoon, she headed home to get ready for another night with Andrew. She wasn’t sure what to wear on this boating excursion, given it was January, and cool at night. She settled on a navy and white striped strapless dress. It had a hemline that met her below the knee. She found a red cashmere throw to go over top. Just in case, she brought along a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and a light jacket.
Again, Andrew was running late and sent the driver over. She wondered what he was up to—not that she was worried. She was more curious than anything about the type of work he did for Dr. Sansbury while he was in town.
The driver helped her out when they got to the ramp closest to Andrew’s boat. He was waiting for her on the wooden pier walkway, and walked down to meet her. He looked scrumptious in his khaki slacks, a white cotton blend shirt, and a navy sweater, with the sleeves wrapped loosely around his shoulders. He looked perfectly bourgeoisie, except he was Andrew, with that warmth in his eyes and smile.
“How was your day?” he greeted her, kissing her warmly on the cheek. God, he could make the electricity flow through her from his touch.
“Great. Yours?”
“Awesome.” He took her hand to lead her to the boat. “You look fantastic.”
“All thanks to your people.”
“Glad to hear. So, are you ready?”
“Very much. I’m excited to see what it’s like.”
“Good. The food is ready.”
He pointed out a sleek cream yacht. He really should have called it a ship—it was massive. Once she got on, two men undid the moorings and came aboard.
“So you must have a crew for this…this…is this a yacht? It seems much bigger.”
“Yes it is. It’s not much larger than the usual. We do have a crew, and small kitchen staff for dinner. Ready to eat?”
“Yes, I’m starved. Lead the way.”
***
The yacht-ship they were on was stunning, but nothing could have prepared her for the sights and sounds—and tastes—of their night cruise. Once they left the harbor, she could barely breathe. The vistas, lights and water-view of San Francisco’s landmarks took her breath away. The food was absolutely divine, but even then, as they passed beneath the San Francisco Bridge, she put her fork down and hurried to the bow to look up at it.
Andrew came to her side, and held her around her waist.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I’ve been missing out on lots.”
“How so?”
“This is my sixth year living in this city, and I’ve never seen it from this…perspective.”
He rubbed her arm and pulled her close. “You’re shivering. We should go back inside.”
She hung on to his arm and went in with him. “I’d love to come again during the day, if we can.”
“Of course,” he answered. “Anything you want.”
“Careful, sailor,” she cautioned. “Those words can be dangerous to a man’s health.”
“Oh?” he smiled down at her as they got back to the dining table. “How so?”
She looked around, and then back up to him. “I can show you, but this part of the ship, the deck is it?” He nodded so she went on,
eyebrows raised. “The deck is a little too…public. Can we go inside? Or downstairs?”
“Yes, there’s a cabin down below. Why? Getting a little frisky, are we?”
“With you around, all I am is frisky these days. Come on. Let’s go,” she said, widening her smile. “I’ll show you danger.”
They got down to the private cabin. Abby pulled him inside to the bed. She sat on the edge and wasted no time in reaching for his belt buckle. Slipping the strip of leather from his pants, she spun it about, humming seductively as she went, and flung it across the room. She heard it hit the wall and cringed a bit, then smiled.
“Oops. Sorry.” If it left a scratch or hole, she would feel so dumb.
The room was spacious. Abby could feel the gentle rocking of the yacht as it moved over the waves.
“So tell me, what’s dangerous about this?” he asked, sliding his hands gently over her hair while she pulled his slacks to the ground. As always, his touch set her on fire.
“Nothing really.” She looked up at him and licked her lips slowly. “It sounded good when I said it. You know what?”
“What?”
“Sit here,” she instructed, patting the spot on the bed beside her.
“I want to tell you something.”
“What’s that?”
She paused before she spoke. She had not intended to share anything—it was a moment of clarity. “I never dreamed of anything like this.”
“What do you mean? Cruising on the yacht?”
“Yes. No. Yes and no.”
“You’re confusing me, Abby.”
She shifted and turned to him. “I mean yes, the yacht, and dinner last night, and being with you. And enjoying our time together. A week ago, I didn’t know you. A week ago, I had not even wished for anything quite this—intense, and amazing, and beautiful, you know?” She paused. Her eyes welled up with tears. She was grateful he didn’t react to them, but waited for her to continue. “I want to tell you thank you, Andrew. I’ve never felt so alive.”
He reached both arms around her and gave her a warm, long embrace. “You don’t have to thank me. I should be thanking you, for that screeching whistle on the night of the blizzard. It was what helped me find you. You’re right that it’s not been a week, but it’s been the best few days I’ve ever had. You couldn’t know how wonderful this time has been for me too. There’s no gift I could give you, no yacht, no meal, no clothes that I could buy you that would show you the difference you’ve made in my life. Thank you, Abby.”
Cabin Bear Heat Box Set: A Paranormal Fantasy Bear Shifter Romance (A Bear Shifter Romance Retelling of the Billionaire Redemption Series Book 2) Page 27
