Reckoning

by J. C. Wilder

  In.

  Out.

  In.

  Out.

  His face was less than an inch from hers, and she could taste him on her tongue. He mimicked her and placed his hand over her heart. Their bodies aligned and their heartbeats slowed, joining together in rhythm. Warmth shafted through her body, expanded into her chest, and coursed down her arms with each beat. His free hand slid around her body to settle at the base of her spine, bringing her body tight against his.

  “Put your hands on me.” His voice was warm velvet.

  Maeve slipped her arm around him, aping his position by laying it against the base of his spine. Warmth spread beneath her fingers, and she made a soft, incoherent murmur as liquid warmth dampened the flesh between her legs.

  It was an incredibly erotic experience to lie in a man’s arms and touch, yet not touch. Her nipples hardened. Separated only by a thin layer of silk, she could feel the hard muscle and crisp hair of his chest. The ache spread through her breasts and into her abdomen. She was powerless as these erotic sensations washed through her, her desire growing with each breath. Her body softened and moistened to accept him, yet he made no move to take her any further.

  Their breathing deepened as desire washed through her. Her eyelids felt heavy, and his erection rubbed against her mound. Their hips began to move, slight rolling motions ratcheting their desire even higher. Air raged through her lungs and their gazes remained locked. His blue eyes were dilated and stormy with sexual hunger. Soft, animal sounds came from her throat as the need for release surged forth. Her body tightened, drawing in on itself moments before her orgasm stole her breath.

  Her eyes slid closed, and she tipped her head back. Silken cries were wrung from her throat as wave after wave of delicious sensation undulated through her. Against her, she felt Quinn’s body tighten, and his cock began to jerk. Liquid fire touched her flesh as he spilled himself between their bodies. The scent of sex hung in the air.

  Slowly the final pleasurable twinges faded, and she tucked her head into his shoulder to enjoy the close warmth they shared.

  She didn’t know how long they lay cuddled together before she stirred. As she surfaced from the depths of her release, she became aware of only one thing, the semi-hard cock pressed against her. Her vagina clenched. How could she want him again so quickly?

  “What did you do to me?” She pushed away so she could see his handsome face.

  His smile was lazy, content. “I didn’t do anything. We did it together.”

  “I’ve never—” She stopped when his smile grew wide. “I mean, I have, of course. With you, even…I haven’t been…I mean, I’m hardly a virgin at my age…”

  “Of course.”

  Damn him! The more flustered she became the bigger his grin.

  “I’ve just never…” She waved her hand as words deserted her. How could she describe such an experience?

  “Very few have.” His gaze turned heated. “But there’s more to come.”

  “Mmm, I’m not sure I can survive much more, but I’ll do my best.” She rubbed her foot against the back of his calf, enjoying the friction of his hair against her sole. “Lead on, teacher.”

  His head dipped and he nuzzled her collarbone. “Mmm, nice outfit.”

  She glanced at the silk now crushed between their bodies. “Thanks.”

  “Now take it off.”

  She laughed but made no move to comply. “Oh no, not yet, my big man. Maeve has a few agenda items that require some immediate attention.”

  One blond brow arched. “Indeed?” He released her then rolled onto his back. Lacing his fingers together, he placed them under his head. “Lead on, Pocahontas. Go forth and discover the west.”

  “Uh, I think you mean Sacajawea.” Maeve laughed. “Pocahontas was the maiden who saved Captain John Smith’s life about two hundred and fifty years before Sacajawea was even born.”

  “Hey, you’re lucky I can form a coherent sentence.” One corner of his mouth quirked, and he shot a pointed look at the growing lump beneath the sheet. “Historical accuracy is pretty low on my priority list right now.”

  “True.” She yanked the sheet away from his body. “While discovering the west might be interesting, I’m thinking about heading south this time.” She rose over him. “Please don’t tell me you can’t read a map.”

  “Of course I can read a map. I’ve just never been the map before.” His eyes gleamed with amusement.

  “Here’s to new experiences then.” Her lips brushed his. She stretched across him and then reached into her pocket and pulled out a small bottle of massage oil. “Now, I think we’ll start with a nice lube.” Her smile widened when she opened the bottle and sniffed. “Hmm, spicy, sensual with a touch of ylang-ylang.”

  “What the hell is lang-e lang?” His brow furrowed.

  “It’s yee-lang yee-lang.” She giggled while opening the bottle then poured a generous amount of the oil onto her palm. “It’s a Chinese flower essence that has some…uplifting qualities for men.”

  “I don’t think that lift is our problem,” he rumbled.

  “Not at the moment we don’t but the night is young,” she teased.

  “Bring on the flowers, woman.”

  Maeve spread the sweet almond oil over her hands before reaching for him. She coated his thick, hard shaft and the broad head in the sweetly scented liquid. His shaft twitched in her hands, and she gave him a satisfied smile.

  “Keep your eyes on me, Lewis and Clark.”

  “Both of them?” he gasped.

  “Well, you are a big man,” she purred. “Hold on tight as your guide is about to introduce you to some new territory.”

  When her tongue caressed the tip of his cock, a groan was wrenched from him. Smiling, she opened, taking him into her mouth. Swirling her tongue over the broad head, she felt his hips thrust upward. Fisting her hand around the thick base, she concentrated on licking the sweet, slick oil from his hard flesh.

  “Maeve,” he panted. “You have a wicked mouth.”

  Without a pause she took him as deep as she could. Her hand stroked the shaft, matching the rhythm of her mouth. Another moan was torn from him when she cupped his balls and gave them a gentle squeeze.

  “Damn, woman, are you trying to kill me?” he moaned.

  She gave his cock a long, slow suck, releasing him with a soft plop. “Only every other day, lover.”

  His answering laugh turned into a moan when she took him into her mouth again. She felt his hand in her hair and he began to guide her, teaching her how to pleasure him. Soon he was moaning with abandon. His movements began to increase and she enjoyed the total freedom with which he responded to her lovemaking. She felt powerful, beautiful.

  But she didn’t want it to end quite this soon.

  Reluctantly, she released him. She sat back on her heels, her hand still wrapped around the shaft of his cock. “Do you like this, Quinn?”

  “Oh fuck, yes, beautiful. I never want this to end.”

  His eyes were closed, and his head thrashed against the pillows. Sweat gleamed on his skin and pleasure swept through her. She’d done this. She’d brought this big, strong man to his knees and it was time to finish it.

  She gave his shaft a gentle squeeze before moving down to run her tongue over his balls. The muscles in his legs tightened when her silk-covered breasts stroked his thighs. Moving between his legs, she took him again into her mouth. Playtime was over, and she was deadly serious as she increased the speed of her strokes.

  He was close.

  “Maeve, just like that.” He groaned. “Fuck me with your mouth.”

  His big body was shaking by the time she took his cock deep into her throat. His hands fisted in her hair trying to either hold her in place or direct her—she wasn’t quite sure which it was but she wasn’t having any of it.

  Ignoring his frantic movements, she swiped her tongue around the head, giving the sensitive underside a caress with her thumb. His groan was guttural as his
hips thrust upward, his cock sliding deep into her mouth. Low moans coalesced into a raw, primal roar when he tipped over the edge. With a wild thrust of his hips, he ejaculated in her mouth.

  Maeve swallowed every drop of his release before carefully licking him clean. Rising, she untied the sash to her robe then removed it, letting it fall to the floor. The gown soon followed. Through slitted eyes he watched every move she made. The fact that his breathing was still labored gave her great pleasure.

  “Damn, woman.” His voice was thick and lazy. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

  “The French call it le petite mort or the little death.” She kissed his lower stomach, enjoying the ripple of muscles beneath her lips.

  “Pretty damned accurate I’d say.”

  Smiling, she licked around the edge of his belly button.

  “Hell, do you think I’m superman?” His eyes glimmered with amusement and more than a little heat.

  “Mmm, not exactly.” Capturing a few hairs on his stomach, she gave them a gentle tug before soothing them with her tongue. He took a deep breath. His body quivered. “You’re more like the Wizard in the Dorothy story.”

  “I’m great and powerful?” His brow arched.

  “Well, you certainly brought me to my knees.” She slid up his torso, her nipples tight against his flesh. Her tongue touched his nipple.

  “Tamed you did I?” His hands touched her arms, cupping her elbows before sliding upward to her shoulders.

  Maeve couldn’t prevent the surprised laughter that sounded suspiciously like an unladylike snort. “Slow down there, tiger. I wouldn’t go that far.”

  “I would.” His grip tightened and his legs tangled with hers. Her breath caught when he rolled over, trapping her body beneath him. His hips slipped between her thighs as if they’d made love thousands of times before. “I’ll go as far as I need to finish the job.”

  “Think you can follow through, big man?” Snaking her arms around his neck, she pulled his head down until their lips were almost touching. “I just sucked you.”

  His hips thrust, and her eyes widened. While he wasn’t erect yet she had a feeling it wouldn’t be long until he would be inside her, and she’d be losing her cool.

  “You just let me worry about my…attention span.” His fingers tangled in her hair. “I can’t believe this color is real. Oh, wait.”

  She laughed when he raised his body enough to glimpse the hair between her thighs. “It’s too dark to see anything in here.”

  “I don’t need to see you, Maeve.” Her body settled over his. “If I were a blind man I’d find you in a room of thousands of women.”

  Her throat tightened. She couldn’t handle this, Quinn’s tender side. The look in his eyes, a look that said she was someone precious to him, struck a chill in her heart.

  “Only because I’d be the one threatening to snatch those other bitches bald for looking at you sideways.”

  She smiled even as she felt the prickling behind her eyes. What the hell was wrong with her? It was rare she ever let herself cry, and now she was a seething ball of emotion. When he grinned, she felt a tugging sensation in her chest.

  Lowering his head, he kissed the exposed skin of her throat. Trailing kisses down her body, when he took her nipple into his mouth, she gasped. As he suckled, her fingers latched onto his head, his hair soft yet prickly against her palms. Sobs escaped her when his teeth grazed the hardened point before moving to the other peak.

  Leaning to the side, his hand touched her thigh sliding slowly upward. Her heart pounded when he touched her damp flesh. A whimper emerged and quickly morphed into a groan when his fingers slipped inside.

  “Quinn, please,” she hissed. Arching, her hips moved restlessly searching for the release she so desperately needed.

  “No so fast, woman.” He chuckled. “You got to play first, and now it’s my turn. Are you trying to spoil my fun?”

  His tongue flicked her aching nipple, first one then the other. Digging her fingers into his head, she arched and forced him to take her into his mouth. Quinn suckled the hard nub, swirling his tongue before moving to the next breast and repeating his pleasurable assault. She wanted to scream by the time he kissed, licked and sucked his way down her torso.

  “Please, Quinn, don’t make me wait.” She panted. “Touch me.”

  “Now who’s impatient?”

  “I’m starting to hate you.”

  Chuckling, he parted the slick lips of her pussy. “Baby, I know what you’re feeling and hate doesn’t even come close.”

  Her hips thrust upward when his tongue touched her needy core. He slid his hands under her backside, lifting her hips just enough to bring her level with his mouth before he sucked her clit. She moaned and her eyes slid shut and her hands fisted in the bedcovers.

  Removing his tongue, he inserted two thick fingers into her body and slowly began to finger fuck her. All too soon she was panting, straining for completion when he tipped her over the edge.

  “Yes, yes!”

  Maeve exploded into a shower of color and light. She was flying, barely aware of her physical body as she soared upward to fall gently back to earth. She was still quivering by the time she managed to open her eyes. Quinn’s hands were still on her body drawing out the pleasure until time stood still.

  She was limp by the time he covered her. His lips touched hers, and she tasted her release. Between her thighs she felt the gentle prod of his cock against her pussy. Pulling her legs tight to his body, he entered her with a smooth thrust.

  “Ahh…”

  His strangled cry was music to her soul. Twining her legs around his waist, she met him thrust for thrust. Her cries mingled with his when they reached their release. She was flying again, but this time she wasn’t alone as he took the trip with her. Afterward, they lay together, enjoying the closeness and the aftershocks of their release.

  She’d never felt like this with any other man. Quinn had reached a part of her soul she kept under lock and key, leaving behind a rare feeling of wellbeing.

  Too bad it would never last.

  Chapter Nine

  All his life Quinn believed he was capable of handling any situation that confronted him. His stepmother had taught him how to cook, wash clothes and which herbs worked best on a litany of ailments. From his father he’d learned the meaning of honor, bravery and the importance of being a man of his word. It was rare he felt as uncomfortable as he did right now.

  Maeve was crying.

  Or was about to anyway. Growing up with a handful of sisters, he knew the signs. He’d rather do back handsprings through a briar patch than deal with a woman’s tears. Helpless was the only way to describe how he felt when facing a tearful woman, especially when that woman meant a great deal to him.

  Maeve struggled for control before she finally rolled away from him. He should be glad she was leaving to pull herself together but he knew he couldn’t let her go, not like this.

  Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms. For a second, he thought she’d protest. Instead, she relaxed against him. Tremors wracked her body as she fought to rein in her emotions, a battle she’d already lost. After the last time they’d made love, they’d slept for a few hours only to wake up with his woman in tears.

  His woman.

  His stomach dropped as if he’d taken an express elevator to the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago. His woman? Even though they’d made love multiple times in the past twenty-four hours, they barely knew each other. He didn’t know her middle name or if she had siblings.

  Your heart and mind may not always agree, but when it comes to love, lead with your heart.

  His stepmother was a very wise woman.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” He kissed the crown of her head.

  “No.” Her voice was little more than a whisper.

  “Did I hurt you?”

  “No.” She sounded stronger this time. “You were wonderful.”

  Dipping his head, he kissed
the smooth curve of her shoulder. “And this is the reason you’re crying?”

  She shook her head.

  “Was I snoring?”

  “No, silly. But I do need you to do something for me.” Maeve turned. Her body pressed against him as she moved and his cock leapt in response. Even after all the hours they’d spent in his bed, he still marveled at how well they fit together.

  “What would that be?” His voice was husky.

  “Love me.”

  Staring at him with red-tinged eyes, there was a sadness, almost desperation in their depths. He wanted to ask her a million questions but holding a naked woman in his arms when his body had other plans, it was difficult to keep his focus. The low, humming need burning in his gut would soon render him unable to speak unless grunting could be considered polite conversation.

  “It would be my pleasure.”

  He shivered as he pulled her against him, knowing only that this felt right and real to him. Lowering his head, he kissed her. It was soft at first then quickly turned heated. Her fingers gripped his head, and he sucked on her tongue. Maeve’s hands moved over him, touching him, seducing him to a fevered pitch. The slide of her leg against his threatened to send him careening out of control. Despite making love only hours before, this felt as heated as their first time.

  When her fingers circled his cock, he moved to stop her. It wouldn’t take much to send him over the edge, and he didn’t want this to be over too soon. She made a sound of protest, but it changed to a sigh of pleasure as he slid his hands up her torso to cup her breasts. He rubbed his thumbs over the nipples, enjoying her rapid intake of breath.

  Lowering his head, he sought one of the hard peaks. Her back arched, and a shaft of heat stabbed through him at the sheer sensuality of the movement.

  He suckled her deeply, first one nipple, then the other. She moaned, a low sensual sound that demanded he end the gnawing ache in his cock. Vaguely he felt her hands moving over him, but he was too focused on her taste and the breathy sounds she was making.