Anna Leigh Keaton - Risking It All

by Anna Leigh Keaton

  “You...are...wicked.” His fists tightened in her hair, but not enough to cause pain, as he gently guided her in the rhythm he needed.

  With her other hand she cupped his testicles, rolled them gently in her palm, felt them tighten and bunch at her touch. She took him in as far as she could, but he was so big, so hard. She wanted him inside her, stretching her, filling her as he had last night. But he’d pleasured her with his mouth, and it was only fair that she return the favor.

  “Arrgh!” He pushed her head away from him, lifted her to her feet, and slammed his mouth down on hers in a bruising kiss. His body trembled against hers. His arms were a steel band around her. She melted into him, wrapping her arms around his neck and returning the kiss with everything she had to give.

  His hands splayed open on her back. His hot, thick erection pressed against her belly. When he broke the kiss, he buried his face against the curve of her neck, sucking in air.

  “Damn.”

  She giggled and wiggled against him, wishing she were naked so she could feel his heated skin against hers.

  “Stop it, or I’ll come before I get inside you.”

  She circled her hips, pressing against him, and then laughed when he groaned and gripped her bottom to keep her still.

  “Naughty princess,” he said, and she could hear the laughter behind his words.

  “I think you like naughty princesses,” she murmured then nibbled his earlobe, feeling more powerful, more feminine, and more beautiful than she ever had in her life.

  He spun her around until her back pressed against his front. His hands found her breasts and kneaded them, pinching the nipples through the layers of her clothing. Her head fell back against his shoulder when he nibbled the side of her neck. Ripples of fire flowed through her, her knees trembled, and her arousal became almost unbearable.

  “I need you,” he said softly, urgently, in her ear.

  She shivered at the sound of his raw desire. One of his hands teased her breast, while the other wasn’t gentle as it traveled down her stomach and then ripped open the fastening of her jeans. His fingers delved under her panties and into her wet, throbbing core.

  Her body jerked, and she cried out, grabbing his wrist, wanting to push him away and beg him to never stop. The sensations were almost too strong, unbearably intense.

  “You make me feel like a wild animal.” His hot breath caressed her ear, adding to the overwhelming physical vibrations rocking through her. She reached up to wrap her hands around his neck so she didn’t fall. “Untamed, uncivilized.”

  His big, rough fingers slid over her clitoris, pulling a whimper from her, even as her hips jerked harder against his hand. But his other arm held her trapped against his body, his fingers plucking at first one nipple then the other. Torturing her.

  “Please,” she said, wondering how she remained upright when she felt like a live wire spewing electrical sparks, zipping and buzzing.

  He nibbled the side of her neck, and she bit her lip to keep from screaming. “What do you want, princess?” he murmured against her neck, and then licked the tender bite.

  She whimpered. “Inside me. Now.”

  He pushed her forward, at the same time shoving her jeans and panties down her thighs. She landed on her hands on the bed, excitement coursing through her.

  “Knees up,” he commanded, even as he lifted her onto the bed, her knees at the very edge, her hands planted in the center of the mattress.

  Before she could draw in a breath, he gripped her hips and thrust into her to the hilt. His groan mingled with her cry as her muscles gripped him, spasming around his thickness.

  “Don’t move.” His words were a harsh whisper. She knew he was close to coming, and the knowledge took her to the edge. Her thighs shook, and her breasts felt too full and achy. Electrical pulses zinged through her. She couldn’t stand it!

  Gripping the comforter in her fists, she shoved back against him, taking him even deeper. His balls pressed against her swollen lips, and the first stirrings of a climax tried to claim her.

  His grip tightened on her hips, and he jerked back, almost breaking contact. Then he surged forward, nearly knocking her over as his thighs slapped against hers.

  “Travis!”

  He reached around her, found her clit, and pinched. She squealed and shoved against him. And then he was there, thrusting against her hard and wild. With each draw and press, she squeezed her inner muscles and reveled in the friction. In the stretch and pull. He filled her so completely.

  The orgasm hit like a tidal wave. She heard herself scream as if from far away, while stars exploded behind her eyelids.

  Travis wondered if he’d killed her. He rolled to the side so he wasn’t squishing her, but she didn’t move. His own heart thudded so hard it was all he could hear. He pushed the hair away from her face and found her eyes closed, a smile curving her lips.

  Damn, she got to him. She was so responsive to his touch and then, when she’d taken him into her mouth, he thought he would pass out from the pure pleasure of it.

  “Hey,” he said when he regained his breath.

  Her eyelids fluttered. “Hey.”

  He chuckled. “You okay?”

  In answer, the smile grew into a grin, flashing her white teeth. “Bloody well, thank you.”

  She sounded so prim and proper with that accent, yet there was no mistaking what they’d just done. For sure, Miss Neela Singh was no proper lady. Not in the bedroom, anyway.

  Tenderness washed over him as he watched her lay there, unmoving, her hand tucked beneath her chin, her eyes closed as she smiled. She was beautiful. And the beauty radiated from the inside out.

  That morning when she’d rushed to Chris’ side as fast as he had, he’d wanted to unman himself and cry. She was so tender with the boys, yet he suspected since she hadn’t run screaming for the first city she could find, she was also firm enough to keep them in line. She hadn’t even complained when Aaron stuck snakes in her bed or worms in her shoes. She’d dealt with it on her own.

  With a tender touch to her cheek, his heart swelled even more when she pressed against his hand like a kitten. “You falling asleep, princess?”

  “Nope. Just...enjoying the afterglow.” She smirked, but still didn’t open her eyes. “My fingers are tingling. My toes. And these little flickers keep going off deep inside me.”

  He traced a line down the center of her back still covered by her cotton blouse and felt her shiver. When he reached her bare ass, he trailed his finger in a circle over one cheek, then the other, fascinated by the goose bumps that rose on her silky skin.

  “Don’t tease,” she murmured.

  He dipped his finger between her thighs, pressed against her still swollen lips. A breath shuddered out of her. He wondered if she could come again. Her tight black curls were wet, slick with their combined juices.

  He leaned over and touched his lips to her cheek. She smelled like heaven. Jasmine and woman and sex. “Another?” he whispered, even as he pressed his finger and touched her slick heat.

  “Mmm. I’m all yucky down there.”

  He chuckled and kissed her temple. “You’re hot, and slick, and swollen.” He pressed his middle finger against her clit, and she whimpered in response. “You’re so sexy, princess.”

  She sighed. “You make me feel sexy.” Her words were murmured, so soft he barely heard her. “I never thought anyone—ohhh...”

  Her ass rose off the bed, pressing against his hand. He flicked a second finger against her, lightly squeezed her clit between them. Her breath hitched, and her hand moved from beneath her chin to grasp a handful of his shirt.

  Grinning, he slowly, gently, toyed with her, loving how her cheeks glowed. How her lips opened slightly as she panted. How the sensuous roll of her pelvis told him exactly what she needed.

  “That’s it, darlin’. Come for me again. Let me hear you, feel you.”

  Her jeans were still around her calves, but she spread her legs just a bit mor
e, rolled fully onto her stomach, and raised her ass into the air.

  His cock jumped, trying to come back to life. Damn, but she made him feel like a young buck in rut. This one was for her and her alone, though. She deserved it.

  “Travis,” she said on a sigh as he felt her muscles begin to tense. He sped the rhythm of his caress. “Oh...Ohhh...Ohhhhh...” Her body went taut, her thighs clamped around his hand, her whole body shuddered. He continued his tender assault until she relaxed again with a sigh.

  Withdrawing his hand, he leaned over and kissed her on the lips. “So damned sexy. I could watch you come all night.”

  She giggled and finally opened her eyes. Their dark depths sparkled. “I don’t think I’d survive.”

  He wasn’t sure he would either. Wasn’t sure he’d survive her. He kissed her again, to keep the words that tumbled around his brain from slipping out his mouth.

  Stay with me. Don’t go back to England. Don’t leave me.

  Chapter Eleven

  She wound her arm around him and returned the kiss. A lazy, sensuous kiss of nibbles and licks. When she pulled away, her eyes were soft, her lips swollen and dark. “Wow.”

  “Yeah.”

  They gazed into each other’s eyes for long silent moments. He wondered what she was thinking, what she felt. Was this simply a sexual interlude for her while she vacationed away from home, or could it be...more?

  A tipped-up grin curved her lips, and her eyes danced.

  “What?” he asked, running his fingers through her soft hair.

  “Just thinking about twelve years ago.”

  He cocked an eyebrow in question, rubbed his thumb along her bottom lip. “What about it?”

  “If I’d known then what I know now...”

  He chuckled, pulled her into his arms, and hugged her hard. “You were a child.”

  “And you were, still are, the sexiest man I’ve ever met.”

  Ego inflating by the second, he rubbed his hand down her back, cupped her bare bottom, and squeezed. “I’m glad...”

  What? What could he say and not give his true feelings away. He wasn’t ready yet to lay his heart on the line. He’d thought when Theresa died he’d never love another woman. They’d grown up together, gone to high school and then college together. They’d been sweethearts forever, finally deciding to marry. When she died, he’d thought she’d taken his heart, his very soul with her. But one sexy English ex-model had shown him that maybe it was possible to love again.

  Still, he couldn’t see her giving up her life for the likes of him. An often surly, always poor, rancher from America.

  “You’re glad you’re the sexiest man I’ve ever met?” Neela asked, humor lacing through her words.

  “Well, yeah. Of course. Any guy would love to hear that proclamation. But I’m also glad you’re here.” There, he’d said it. That was enough for now. He’d let her make the next move.

  She pulled away from him and sat up, her back to him. His heart ached that she hadn’t said anything in return. Was she glad she was here, or was her stay due only to whatever problems she had at home, which Carol had hinted at?

  Neela kicked off her shoes, pushed her jeans and underwear to the floor, and unbuttoned her blouse. She sat still for a moment, then cast him a glance over her shoulder. “Are you sure about this?”

  He frowned, rose up on his elbow, and started pushing his own jeans down his legs. “About what?”

  Her bottom lip tucked between her teeth for a second, and he saw her distress.

  “What is it?”

  With a flicker of a glance toward the lamp, she slowly lowered the blouse off her shoulders, and he realized she was still uncomfortable revealing her scars to him.

  A soft, mushy tenderness swelled through him again. He leaned over and placed his lips on her shoulder, right on the discolored, roughened flesh. “You don’t need to hide from me, Neela,” he said, snaring her gaze with his.

  The tiniest of smiles curled her lips. She peeled the shirt off and tossed it to the floor, onto their growing pile of clothes, while he pulled his T-shirt over his head. Her bra was the last item to go. And then she launched herself into his arms and kissed him.

  * * * * *

  Out the window, Neela could see the sky slowly growing pink with the approaching dawn. Silently, she slipped from the bed, careful not to disturb Travis. His soft snores made her smile. He adjusted to her absence by flopping onto his stomach and hugging her pillow with one arm.

  After tugging on her robe she used the washroom, cleaning up a bit with a warm cloth, and then peeked into the boys’ rooms to make sure they still slept soundly. It was Saturday, which meant Jeff wouldn’t arrive until afternoon for work. During the past two weeks she’d been there, Travis had taken no time off work, but maybe today she could talk him into being a little lazy.

  She snuck back into her bedroom, leaving the door ajar so they could hear the boys if they began to stir. She dropped her robe over the foot of the bed and scooted back under the covers.

  “Where you been?” Travis asked, his voice husky with sleep. He scooped her into his arms and snuggled her against his body. He was so warm, so hard.

  “Just checking on the boys. They’re still asleep.”

  His hand burrowed into her hair, and he kissed her forehead. “They won’t be for long.”

  “I know.” The kids seemed to pop out of bed at six-thirty sharp every morning, starving for breakfast and ready to get on with their day.

  Neela snuggled against his chest and tangled her fingers in his crisp chest hair.

  “That doesn’t bother you?”

  She frowned and leaned back to see his face. The lines around his eyes and mouth were soft from sleep. God, he was handsome. She traced his brow with her thumb. “Why would it bother me?”

  He gave a negligent, one-shoulder shrug, but his eyes were intense. “I’d think a woman with no children would get annoyed at their persistence. Upset that staying in bed all day is an impossibility.”

  She smiled, kissed his chin. “Contrary to popular belief, not all princesses stay in bed all day. Even back home I’m usually up by six.”

  “What do you do there?” He ran his hand down her back, his fingertips tickling. “What have you been doing since you stopped modeling?”

  She sighed. She’d known the questions would come eventually, she’d just hoped it wouldn’t be quite so soon. “For the last three years, I’ve worked as the accountant for my mother’s charity organizations. She’s started four so far, with plans for another one soon.”

  He studied her with those dark blue eyes, but she could almost hear the wheels turning in his brain. He was afraid to ask. Well, maybe it was time. What did she have to lose? It wasn’t as if he were pledging his love to her. Although, she’d hoped with all her heart that he would at some time in their long night of passion.

  “You want to know what happened, right?”

  He gave a single, stilted nod. “I’d like to know, if you’re ready to talk about it.”

  She rolled to her back, tucked the sheet under her arms, and stared up at the knotty pine ceiling. “Four years ago...” She sucked in a breath when his hand settled against her belly. She turned her head to look at him.

  “Start from the beginning. Why’d you start modeling?”

  With a nod, she adjusted her thought pattern. “I was in my last year at college when a talent scout came to the school. I’d never thought of doing anything like modeling or acting, so I couldn’t have cared less. I was almost through with my degree in business management, with my life carefully planned out by my father.

  “One Friday night, needing a break from studying, some girlfriends and I went to a karaoke bar. We had a little too much to drink and were being goofy. Three of us got up on stage and did a little striptease.”

  Travis growled at that, and she laughed.

  “Don’t get bent out of shape, cowboy. We didn’t go all the way.” She rolled to her side to face him. He wr
apped his arm around her and snuggled her against his chest. It still amazed her, even after last night, that he touched her scars. Lying on her right side, her scars were there, in his face, yet he didn’t so much as flinch. And as his hand traveled up and down her body, over her back and down to her bottom, he constantly skimmed the leathery skin, seemingly unaware of it.

  She loved him with all her heart.

  “Go on,” he urged.

  “Okay, well. The talent scout was at the bar that night and gave me his card, said he’d love to represent me. I laughed it off. But two days later, my father was at the school being his typical overbearing self.

  “You see, I’ve never been good enough because I wasn’t a boy. He’d wanted a son to take over his empire, and I can’t remember a day he didn’t let me know how he felt, in one way or another.”

  “He’s an ass.”

  “Tell me about it.” She sighed. “So, it was a middle finger to Daddy when I dropped out of college and signed with an agent. Two weeks later, I was on my first photo shoot.”

  “Bet he was pissed.”

  She chuckled. “That’s an understatement. He threatened to cut me off, disown me. Said no daughter of his would be parading around in front of photographers naked. Actually, that first photo shoot was for a magazine ad for dog food. We were in the Swiss Alps and freezing our butts off despite our fur parkas, while the handlers wrestled with a team of sled dogs.”

  Travis tipped her head back and kissed her lightly on the mouth. “But I’ve seen pictures of you where you were decidedly less covered than that.”

  He almost sounded...jealous. She grinned. “Within a year I was discovered and put on the fast track to supermodel status. My skin color, hair color, my height, even my curves were a little different.”

  “Exotic,” he said in something close to a purr as his hand skimmed down her back to cup her bottom.

  She nodded even as the thrill of his touch zinged through her, drawing her nipples into tight little beads. “That’s what they said.”

  “Okay, so that’s how you got started, now tell me how it ended.” He brushed her hair over her shoulder, cupped her cheek in his rough palm. “Did you and your father ever make up?”