by Tina Donahue
Mac’s balls plumped so fast they ached. He didn’t dare adjust himself in his seat. The brush of his boxer briefs against his nuts and rod might prove too much. Sweating through the pain, he watched as she finally bit into the dog and chewed.
After a couple of wayward moans, she nodded. “Amazing.”
She meant it. Pure pleasure radiated from her.
Thrilled at her happiness, Mac couldn’t keep from teasing. “Better than a cat, huh?”
She stared at him. He grinned.
A throaty laugh finally erupted from Jodi, making her shoulders tremble. “Oh god, I’m so embarrassed.”
“Why?”
Her expression said he was crazy for asking. “You must have thought I was an idiot.”
“A little dense maybe but definitely not an idiot.”
She laughed again, reckless joy flushing her face, hiding her freckles. Too bad. Mac really liked them and her hair. In the muted light, the color was more auburn than red. Still vibrant. As warm as a deep, wet kiss or a woman’s caress.
Taking a sip of his beer, Mac speculated about the delicate curls between her legs. Whether they were also reddish or if they were brown.
With his quiet attention, Jodi settled quickly, going from being relaxed back to cautious. She studied the diners rather than him. Craning her neck, she glanced in the direction of the restroom.
Mac spoke before he knew he would. “Krista won’t be coming out for a while.”
Jodi lifted her dog but didn’t bite into it.
He teased her. “Don’t tell me you need to run away too.”
She finally turned to him. Several pinpoints of light reflected off her glasses, hiding her eyes. Didn’t matter. Mac caught her bewildered expression.
“What?” he asked.
“Did you two have a fight?”
Surprised, he straightened. “Me and Krista?”
“Yeah.”
“No. Why?”
“You’re being so—“ She stopped suddenly. What looked to be guilt and shame raced across her cute face.
Mac rested his forearm on the table and leaned toward her. “I’m being so what?”
Jodi’s shoulders dropped. “Shitty to her. If you’re not careful, she’s going to dump you for another guy.”
He laughed. Hell, he howled so loud several of the diners near them glanced over.
Jodi edged back. “You think this is funny?”
“Sure, if you believe Krista and I are actually dating.”
Even in the shadowy light, Jodi’s complexion darkened to the point of being obvious. “You’re not?”
Sagged in his chair, Mac pressed his hands against his belly as he laughed. “God no. Never.”
“I don’t understand.”
His chuckles turned to a relaxed smile. “About what?”
“She’s so perfect. My god, haven’t you noticed?”
“Of course I have. But that’s only how she looks. And trust me, no one’s perfect.”
“Maybe not, but she comes close. Aren’t you impressed?”
“Nope. Are you?”
Turning back to her meal, Jodi took a huge bite of her dog and chewed so slowly, Mac started to worry. He’d never considered she might like women. That would explain a lot—especially her unease whenever he was alone with her. But what about the lust he’d seen on her face when he’d caught her watching him? Mac wondered if she was a bi.
“You have your eye on Krista?”
Jodi swallowed so fast, she gasped as she had earlier at the studio, and just about coughed up her lungs this time.
“Hey.” Mac slapped her gently on her back. “Take it easy before I have to call 9-1-1.”
“I’m okay,” she rasped, but continued to clear her throat and look horrified. “I don’t know Krista. Actually I don’t want to. She seems nice enough but I’m not…that is…”
When she didn’t finish, Mac said, “You like guys.”
Jodi nodded so vigorously her hair swung forward, grazing her cheeks.
It took a shitting lot of self-control for Mac not to ease those tresses back and let his fingers linger on her dewy skin. “What about your guy? Who are you dating?”
She looked stunned that he’d asked.
Her shock didn’t have anything on his. Already Mac regretted asking such a dumb question, even as he hoped she was between men. Until now, he hadn’t considered the complication of her being involved, which would make his interest in her so much more difficult.
When she didn’t answer, Mac should have dropped the subject but somehow couldn’t and said the first thing that came to his mind. “Rocco?”
Jodi laughed lustily, slumping in her chair from the force of it. “He’s a nice guy but I don’t think I’m his type.”
“Why not?”
Sobering quickly, she gave him a weird look as though he’d offended her.
Mac couldn’t imagine why. “He’s not gay, just in case you’re wondering.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Then you simply don’t like muscular guys who shave their chests and wear makeup so they’ll look pretty for the camera.”
A smile tugged at the corners of Jodi’s mouth but didn’t last. Shoving her glasses up her nose, she mumbled, “Let’s just say he’s not my type.”
Mac nodded slowly even though his pulse raced out of control. The temperature seemed horribly warm suddenly, as though he’d had too much to drink. So far, he’d only had three sips of his beer. Maybe he should have had more.
He let another moment pass then asked, “What is your type?”
Her color rose again. Quickly, she averted her gaze and concentrated on her beer, finishing half of it in one long, seemingly desperate swallow.
Call him crazy, but Mac again sensed her interest in him and that she wasn’t serious about anyone. Content for the moment, he devoured his dog, which he’d slathered with sauerkraut and dotted with brown mustard. The spicy flavors heated his blood even more.
A group to the side pushed back their tables so they could dance to a slow tune from the nineties. Other customers joined them.
Mac glanced at Jodi. Longing registered on her face as she regarded the couples. Her body swayed gently to the romantic tune.
She probably wanted to dance. Hell, Mac wanted that too, her snuggled within his arms. Problem was, he suddenly couldn’t move or speak. For the first time in recent memory, he actually hesitated around a woman, afraid to break the almost easy mood, which might take them back to square one.
Damn, it had already been several months since Jodi first came to his studio, looking eager for a full-time job, bringing a dash of reality to his world and a sense of comfort Mac had rarely known. Another long wait to get close to her might kill him. His cock needed to be inside her sweet depths now and all fucking night. Mac wanted to fall asleep with his head pillowed between her ripe breasts, his leg draped over hers so she couldn’t get away.
Her escape would be too hard to endure. He had to get his fill of her. Share histories, laughs, become friends. Something he hadn’t cared about before with other women but did now for some reason.
The song ended. On its heels, another began, rougher, less romantic, the moment gone.
Frowning, Mac cursed himself for his uncertainty. Being a goddamn wuss wouldn’t get him anywhere. He turned to Jodi.
“Hey,” Krista chirped. “I’m back.” She plopped into her chair. Her hair was tousled, lips bruised, complexion pinked up, undoubtedly due to Pretty Boy’s stubble. “What did I miss?”
“Nothing,” Mac muttered.
Yet.
Despite Mac’s insistence, Krista refused to let him take her home first.
“We’ll take her,” she argued, flapping her hand in the direction of the backseat.
“That’s probably best,” Jodi said.
Mac shot her a frown. She pretended not to notice. Even if he wasn’t dating Krista or even interested in her, that didn’t mean Jodi wanted to run interference for hi
m. She was his assistant at work, not the referee in his love life, especially since she wanted him for herself.
Yeah right.
Jodi knew there was a less-than-zero chance of that happening when countless babes traipsed through his studio on a daily basis. All of them naked and just as lovely as Krista. Could be he didn’t like blondes as much as he did brunettes. He certainly had enough raven-haired beauties to choose from.
Crap, why did her car have to break down now? The stupid thing could have waited until she had the money to buy an auto club membership and enough saved for repairs.
Sighing, Jodi studied the streets they passed. The last time Mac had spoken to her was when he’d wanted her address. Since then, he’d concentrated on his GPS prompts, not once asking if everything was all right back there, if she was too cold or hot, lonely, horny, frustrated.
The music wasn’t helping. He’d put on some funereal opera with lots of dark notes and ominous drums.
Krista didn’t seem to notice the gloomy piece. She was back to fondling Mac’s thigh while she hummed merrily. Her tune reminded Jodi of a toothpaste commercial where everyone was young, successful, good-looking and happy. She slumped farther into her seat, the taste of her dog and the wonder of Mac’s teasing already a fast-fading memory.
He made a left onto her street, which looked identical to the others around there, all of them boring. There was an endless series of apartment buildings, some of them tan stucco, others white stucco topped by red, mint green or blue-tiled roofs. Where the ordinary lived, their hopes long gone, their dreams too far in the distance to remember, replaced with having to earn a living, getting through the next day and the next until they totally gave up and died.
God she was depressed. She didn’t want to be alone tonight or face the ginormous quote the garage would give her tomorrow, which she’d never be able to afford. Then there was the problem of her riding to work with Mac, having him to herself for a few seconds, after which he’d spend his day concentrating on one goddess after the other with most of them wanting him and discussing their lust the moment he wasn’t around. The models’ desire was the worst of all, since Jodi craved Mac as much as they did but would never have him.
“Stop three hundred feet ahead,” the GPS voice said.
Scanning the street, Mac slowed and parked in a spot near Jodi’s building.
“Thanks,” she said quickly. “Dinner was great. I appreciate it. Have a good night.” She opened her door and hurried out of the car.
So did Mac. He joined her on the sidewalk. Jodi stared at him, not understanding.
“I’ll walk you to your door,” he said. “It’s late. No need to take any unnecessary risks.”
With her safety? This wasn’t Beverly Hills by any standard but it wasn’t a warzone either. The working-class neighborhood was relatively quiet, with only a few stereos blaring away. “Thanks, but I’m all right.”
“You will be, because I insist.”
Before Jodi could argue with him further, Mac turned at the sounds of that gloomy opera pouring from his car. “Stay inside,” he ordered Krista. “I’ll be back in a sec.”
She screwed up her mouth and shut her door.
“This is just a suggestion,” Jodi murmured quietly, “but maybe you should tell her you two aren’t dating.”
Mac chuckled. “Yeah maybe I should. I’ve dropped hints—god how I’ve dropped them. I’ve been trying not to hurt her feelings.”
Jodi liked him even more for being such a good guy. “That’s sweet.”
He seemed surprised. “You think? I thought I was being kind of wimpy.”
Him? Wimpy? Never. Strength and authority simply burned within him. “You’re a nice man. No harm in that. If I haven’t said thank you before, I am now. I really appreciate what you did with my car. You probably shouldn’t have. It’ll probably take me until I’m sixty to pay you back.”
“That long, huh?” His eyebrows lifted. “Guess I’ll just have to work you harder so I can get my money sooner.” With a playful smile, he strolled down the street.
Jodi joined him like a good little assistant…and a woman drawn by his irresistible appeal. In the light of the streetlamps, Mac looked like a hero of a supernatural romance. Dangerously handsome with a dark heart but a good soul. Threads of moonlight graced his chiseled features and the rugged planes of his body. His movements were fluid, well-oiled, a guy who was comfortable in his own skin.
She envied the woman who’d finally snare him.
Mac studied the building numbers and made a right for her place. When they’d reached her porch, Jodi stated the obvious.
“This is it.” She cleared her throat, surprised at how her words had caught. “What time do you want me to be ready tomorrow?”
He studied her eyes then her mouth. “Early.”
Confused and more than a little unsettled, she managed a wobbly smile. “Such as?”
Mac didn’t say. Already close, he edged nearer. Jodi’s pulse thumped in her temples and throat. She could have moved back but didn’t, even though nothing blocked her.
He murmured, “Want me to check out your place? Make certain it’s safe?”
If he came inside, it wouldn’t be. There’d be no stopping what she wanted to do with him. She’d be worse than Krista, tackling him to the floor, begging him to want her. At last, she edged back. “Thanks, but I’m sure it’s fine.”
Mac didn’t look convinced but finally nodded. “See you tomorrow morning.”
“Uh-huh.”
He turned then stopped and regarded her for a long moment. The breeze ruffled the ends of his hair. Moonlight sparkled in his eyes, bringing out a bit of the blue. Jodi told herself to dig out her house key and open the door but didn’t have the will to do so. Looking at him was too nice. Catching his scent too enticing.
With a soft smile, Mac advanced again until their bodies nearly touched. He rested his hands on either side of her face and stroked her cheeks with his thumbs.
Jodi forgot to breathe. Stunned, aroused and completely lost in the wonder of him, she closed her eyes and parted her lips as Mac lowered his mouth to hers.
Chapter Four
He was gentler than he’d intended to be or could endure for long. Mac’s only reason for making his first move so subdued was that he didn’t want to alarm Jodi. The moment she decided he was being too rough, she might pull back or push him away.
No fucking chance he’d let that happen.
Her mouth was too seductive. Not only ungodly soft but loose beneath his. Her flowery fragrance made him think of her again in an old-fashioned, age-yellowed portrait. In the image, her hair would be longer, the ends dangling above her lavish breasts, her nipples puckered from her arousal and excitement at posing so shamelessly.
He imagined her in a frilly corset drawn tightly around her waist, the satiny fabric not doing much to hide her lush nudity. Instead, it would display her pale breasts and ass for his use, her punishment. The thought of disciplining her thickened Mac’s blood. He could almost hear the crack of his palm or a strap against her succulent cheeks, followed by her sounds of submission and desire.
A growl caught in the back of his throat, a sound Mac didn’t dare let out until he was certain she wanted at least a portion of what he’d been fantasizing about. His tongue glided over the seam of her mouth, testing, teasing, then slipped inside gradually, opening her to him.
Her taste and wet heat made his legs rubbery. His knees bumped into hers.
Moaning softly, Jodi sagged against him, surrendering.
Aw, baby.
Mac planted his hand on her ass and pushed her cunt into his rigid shaft. Jodi yielded further, her mouth fitted to his, arms wreathed around his neck.
Intoxicated by her eagerness, Mac filled her mouth with his tongue. Her nipples were peaked, hard as could be against his pecs. Her desire was so damn welcome that he answered her faint moans with a growl then a cruder grunt, unable to pretend he still had any control over
what was happening between them.
Jodi couldn’t possibly be deluding herself either. She suckled his tongue with abandon and ground her body into his.
They rocked back and forth, each of them trying to get closer in their carnal dance. Mac held the back of Jodi’s head, not allowing her to break free. She pushed her fingers through his hair, anchoring him to her. Wasn’t enough, dammit. He needed more and angled his mouth for better penetration.
Once he had it, Jodi took charge, forcing his tongue aside then spearing hers into his mouth. An appreciative noise escaped him, the sound more animal than human. She answered with a lust-filled groan that thickened his cock and squeezed his balls. Mac wanted her hands on that part of him. No, not her hands…her tongue. Licking his nuts, exploring their contours, then easing his shaft deep inside her mouth, taking in as much of him as she could.
If she were able to manage his full length, that would be paradise. To get there, all they had to do was go inside her place and—
Krista.
Her name popped into Mac’s head like a bad memory he couldn’t shake. Oh shit. He’d left her in his car. She wouldn’t stay put for long. She could very well be on her way there now to see what was keeping him.
On a frustrated sigh, Mac forced himself to calm down and gentled his kiss. He suckled Jodi’s tongue tenderly. Lovingly.
She matched his pace as though they’d been doing this for years. Her past uncertainty disappeared, replaced with a response that was so fucking horny and real Mac couldn’t wait to have her stripped bare and beneath him. Or on top. Any damn way he could have her.
He pulled his mouth free and held Jodi in a firm yet gentle embrace, his chest bumping hers as he gulped air. She snuggled against him, their bodies seemingly made for each other.
How long they stayed that way, Mac couldn’t be certain except it wasn’t as long as he would have liked. Once Jodi’s breathing had quieted and their silence grew, her body tensed against his. Mac suspected part of her sudden stiffness stemmed from her frustration that they couldn’t go further tonight. The rest was probably her concern over what they’d done. What she might expect from him now.
