Fortune's Promise: A Fortune Story

by Karen Erickson

  Tanner dipped his head, his mouth pressed against her temple, so warm and damp. “I felt connected to you the minute I saw you at the reception, standing in the corner watching me.”

  How humiliating. She had probably looked desperate, an easy mark. She could imagine him picking up willing females after every concert, anytime he wanted, really. Used them once then tossed them to the side never to be heard from again.

  Maddie didn’t plan on being used. It tempted her, but she wouldn’t be tossed away like yesterday’s trash.

  She had more dignity than that.

  Her eyes opened, words poised on the tip of her tongue to tell him to stop touching her, but she froze at the heat she saw reflected in his gaze, his fingers trailing across her collarbone, up her neck. Her skin tingled at his gentle touch as she watched in the mirror, her breath quickening, making her chest rise and fall at an accelerated pace and she couldn’t look away.

  She forgot what she wanted to say when he pressed another kiss to her temple, his mouth brushing her hairline and she arched her neck. Her upswept hair rubbed against his shoulder and she clutched the edge of the low table before her tightly, anchoring herself to it.

  “I like to watch you.” His low voice smoothed over her, making her tremble with need. “I can see the cogs turning in your head, the war you wage within yourself. ‘Should I do this? Should I leave?’”

  Her eyes widened. Was she that obvious? “I haven’t decided what I should do yet.”

  He smiled, appearing completely at ease and not worried she would go anywhere. His hands moved to the back of her head. “I want to see your hair down.”

  Before she could even tell him to stop, his fingers threaded through her heavy hair, and he pulled out the pins that held it in place, tossing them onto the table with a little ping. The stylist had spent hours on her thick hair, tucking and curling it into the intricate design Brittany had envisioned. It had ended up beautiful, but heavy, making her neck ache. She gave a sigh of relief when it tumbled down past her shoulders, stopping just above the middle of her back.

  “So long.” Tanner combed her hair with his fingers, occasionally getting snagged on a tangle. Always careful to extract himself from it and not hurt her. “And beautiful.”

  The man had to be full of crap. No one had ever told her she was beautiful. If anyone was beautiful, it was him. With his dark good looks, vivid blue eyes and seductive ways, unlike any man she’d ever been with.

  She hadn’t been with very many either. Certainly none as handsome as Tanner.

  “You don’t have to do this.” She lifted her chin, stared at herself in the mirror. Watched him pause, his gaze lifting, meeting hers in the reflection.

  “I don’t have to do what?”

  Maddie shrugged. “Act like you want to seduce me. I don’t expect it. I don’t really want it. We can pretend this never happened if you would like.”

  The man actually smiled, a flash of blinding white and her mouth dropped open. “Ouch. You know how to hurt a man, don’t you?”

  “I’m the one who doesn’t want to get hurt,” she admitted, biting her lower lip. She tried to extract herself from his hold, but he wouldn’t let go, his fingers pressing into her flesh.

  “I don’t want to hurt you Maddie.” His mouth close to her ear, she could feel his breath tickle her skin.

  She released a shuddering breath, gripped the edge of the table so tight her knuckles went white. “I should go.”

  He smoothed her hair away from her neck, his mouth resting at the side of it for the briefest moment. “You don’t want to.”

  Her eyes fluttered closed as he began pressing delicate kisses along her throat. His lips were warm and soft, tender and sweet as they blazed a path up her neck. Her head drifted down, her chin against her chest, allowing him better access and he took it, his mouth skimming her jaw line.

  “Open your eyes, Maddie. Watch.”

  His husky voice encouraged, seduced, and her eyes drifted open, meeting his in the mirror when her head lifted. He pressed his cheek against hers briefly and then moved behind her, his hand drifting over her collarbone again, making her burn with need.

  “You know what’s been driving me crazy all night?”

  Maddie shook her head, her voice lost. His fingers came around to skim over her shoulders, slide down her chest, over the gentle swell of her breasts, plumped up by her bra.

  “This.” His touch was feather light, fingers gliding up and down the top of one breast and then the other. “All that smooth pale skin exposed, tempting me. I’ve been dying to touch you here.”

  His fingers continued their exploration and her breath caught in her throat. They delved beneath her dress, played along the lacy edge of bra, making her nipples harden. She closed her eyes again, her sex flooding with moisture, her mind filled with images of the two of them naked.

  “Maddie, open your eyes.”

  His gentle yet firm command caught her attention and she did as he asked, her gaze meeting his in the mirror. His hand moved to her side, slid the zipper beneath her arm down and her dress parted slowly.

  She stood still, gasping when his fingers brushed against her exposed flesh as he pushed the dress down her body, revealing her to him. She watched his gaze drink in her lingerie-clad form, her push up bra and matching panties, all of it made of the finest pale pink lace. The most expensive set of underwear she’d ever worn.

  “Wow.” His finger traced the back of her bra, back and forth, slow, hypnotic. “Your body is more gorgeous than I imagined.”

  Maddie wanted to laugh out loud. “I’m fat.”

  “Hell, no you’re not.”

  “I’m nothing like the women you date. The women I’ve seen you with in magazines.”

  “Thank Christ for that.” His hands slid around her waist, moved up her front to cup her breasts. He held her that way for what felt like an eternity, his large hands molding the flesh of her breasts, his big body flattened behind hers. His thumbs brushed against her nipples, making them stand to attention.

  She watched in the mirror as he tugged on the delicate fabric, the lace brushing against her tender nipples as it came down. Then her breasts popped into view, lush and full, her nipples distended and rosy pink. His dark hands curved around her flesh, his fingers tugging on her nipples and a fresh surge of moisture filled her panties.

  Oh God, she was going to embarrass herself and come just with him touching her breasts! She didn’t know if she could live with herself if she did that.

  Calm down, Zen-like thinking…

  She wanted to snort. That wasn’t going to happen.

  “Beautiful,” he whispered in her ear, his tongue darting out to lick. She shuddered, bit her lower lip when he tugged extra hard on her nipples. “Do you like to watch?”

  Maddie couldn’t deny it was a huge turn on. “Yes.”

  “I like to watch you too.” His hands tugged, pressing her backside closer against him and her eyes widened. There was no mistaking the huge erection that brushed against her butt, insistent and oh so male. “Do you feel what you’re doing to me?”

  She nodded. She couldn’t believe she was the one responsible for the giant erection he sported. Her head buzzed with feminine power, her body tingled in all the right places. “I want to touch you.”

  Tanner released a shuddering breath, his eyes closing for the quickest moment. “Soon, Maddie. Right now it’s your turn.”

  Chapter Four

  Tanner’s words made Maddie sway on her feet, already drunk with pleasure. The way he looked at her, spoke to her, touched her was overwhelming, like nothing she’d ever experienced before.

  Taking her hand, he led her away from the mirror. She glanced down at herself, watched her breasts jiggle and sway as she walked and she covered herself with her other arm, embarrassed.

  Previous sexual encounters were always kept under wraps—literally. In the dark, buried under the covers, no vital body parts exposed to light. No talking, not really
anything but straightforward, boring sex.

  She had no idea how to behave, what to do in a situation such as this. How she wished she could channel Brittney at this very moment. Brittney would know what to do, how to act.

  “Hey.” He stopped and she bumped into him, not even paying attention to where he was going. Her cheeks heated even more and she wished she could disappear. Wished she’d never gone to this man’s room at all.

  Okay, the last part was a lie. She just wished she had more confidence.

  Tanner moved the arm that crossed over her body, held both of her arms out wide from her. She wanted to shrivel with embarrassment at his blatant perusal.

  “Why are you hiding yourself? Don’t be shy.” He drew her into his arms, pressing her close. She wrapped her arms around him, held on to him tight, absorbing his warmth, his scent. He felt amazing, smelled delicious, and she closed her eyes, savoring it all.

  His hands smoothed up her back and went for the band of her bra, undoing the clasps with ease. He tugged on the thin scrap of lace and it fell to the floor, leaving her topless. Clad in only her lace panties and gold stiletto sandals, she felt downright wanton.

  His big hands wandered over her skin, skimmed along her spine, smoothed over her lace-covered butt. She inhaled sharply, held her breath as his strong fingers kneaded her fleshy skin, played with the fabric that barely covered her cheeks.

  “Your skin’s so soft,” he whispered.

  Maddie’s eyes drifted open and she lifted her head to look at him. He watched her, dipping towards her. Their lips were achingly close, almost but not quite touching.

  “Don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you.”

  She felt every movement of his lips as he spoke. “I’m not scared.”

  His mouth brushed hers once, the simplest of kisses yet she felt as if everything inside of her shattered at the touch of that firm sensual mouth upon hers.

  “You’re shaking.” Tanner kissed her again, a soft connection of lips, his hand cupping the side of her face.

  “I’m cold.” And a liar. She was nervous, scared, all of it. It had been a long time since she’d been with a man, too long.

  He didn’t reply, just placed another kiss on her lips, mouth parted, his tongue darting out to lick. She opened to him, her tongue tentatively meeting his and he groaned into her mouth.

  Oh God, the man could kiss. His lips were soft, his tongue hot and velvety as it searched her mouth. He clasped her shoulders, walked her backwards until her back bumped against the wall, his mouth fused to hers. He broke the kiss, stared at her for a moment, his breathing ragged.

  “Don’t move,” he whispered, dropping to his knees before her.

  Maddie couldn’t move even if she wanted to. His hands slid around her hips, fingers playing with the thin waistband of her underwear. She held her breath when he pressed his face against her crotch and breathed deep. He tugged her panties down slowly, revealing her to him and her legs trembled, her knees threatening to give way.

  She plastered her hands to the wall, held on tight so she wouldn’t slide to the floor in a puddle. Watching him aroused her beyond reason, his big hands moving down her legs, the little scrap of lace tangled around her ankles. He helped her step out of them, tossed the fabric over his shoulder, his fingers wrapped around one ankle, stroking. He then hooked that leg over his shoulder, spreading her open for him and she tried to yank her leg back, embarrassed.

  This wasn’t the way she normally did it. The room was brightly lit, and they weren’t even in the bed. Her legs were spread wide for him to see everything and there was no mistaking it, he was definitely looking.

  His hand held her in place and he pinned her with a piercing look. “Relax, Maddie.”

  She tried, really she did, but it was difficult. She worried about her weight, her rounded belly, what he must think of her. Had any man’s face been so close to her down there?

  No, she hated to admit it, knew her friends would die of shock, but no man had ever gone down on her before. Ever. She was too self-conscious, had always picked selfish lovers, heck she didn’t know.

  And then she felt the swipe of Tanner’s hot tongue along her folds, and all thoughts of past lovers disappeared. Her eyes slid closed as his tongue searched, teeth nibbled, lips sucked, and she bucked against him, the intensity of it almost too much for her to bear.

  His hands smoothed over her hips, his tongue circling around her clit, teasing it and she tensed, her belly tightening in anticipation. His pointed tongue drove into her and she cried out, thumped the back of her head against the wall.

  Tanner pulled away from her, his lips glistening with her juices. “Are you all right?”

  She wanted to die. Could this get any more humiliating? She nodded, kept her eyes tightly closed, tried to ignore the throb of pain at the back of her head.

  “Maddie.” He turned, his face against her leg and he pressed soft kisses to the inside of her thigh. She shuddered at his tender touch.

  Her eyes blinked opened and she watched, captivated as he continued to kiss her sensitive flesh, his lips lingering, hands kneading. His hair brushed against her skin and she reached out, slid her fingers into it, the silky soft strands curling around her fingers. She clutched his head, held her breath when he returned his attention to her pussy. Gentle kisses and licks made her moan, her fingers tighten in his hair. Her actions seemed to encourage him and he slipped first one, then two fingers deep inside her body, pumping in and out slowly.

  Her pussy tingled, her clit throbbed and he sucked it between his lips, making her cry out. She was close, her entire body hung on the precipice of orgasm and she strained against him, clutched his head to her, panting wildly.

  “Relax, baby, let it happen.” His fingers moved faster, his tongue flicking her clit and she exploded at his words, her entire body wracked with tremors as her orgasm overtook her.

  Tanner continued to lick her, tease her, fingers still moving inside of her as she rode out her orgasm, her soft cries loud to her own ears. No man had ever made her come like that. That had been an entire body experience when normally her orgasms were pleasant little tremors that passed quickly.

  She’d been missing out all this time.

  He untangled her leg from around his shoulder and she stumbled, nearly fell but he caught her, his hands sure and firm around her waist. He stood, hauled her to him, kissed her until she couldn’t think, couldn’t say a word. The unmistakable flavor of her own self was on his lips, his tongue but she didn’t mind. She clung to him, her hands clutching his shoulders, and he finally broke away, smiled down at her.

  “Let’s go to the bedroom.”

  She nodded, let him take her hand and lead her to the back of the suite. The room was huge, the bed directly in the center, the sliding glass door open, a gentle breeze blowing in. She could hear the ocean waves crashing on the distant shore, noticed the flickering candles on the bedside tables and her mouth dropped open.

  Great, was he looking for anyone to pick up at that bar? Set up his hotel suite for seduction and then go to find the next available woman who would go up to his room with him?

  “It’s not what you think.” As if he could read her mind he turned to her, took both of her hands in his. “The hotel staff lit the candles while I was gone, opened the door.”

  “Of course,” she murmured, not believing a word he said.

  It didn’t matter. She knew what she was getting into going to the hotel room of a notorious celebrity player. She was a big girl, she could have sex for sex’s sake. No biggie.

  Heck, she was standing naked with the exception of her sandals and Tanner was fully clothed. She needed to get past her hang-ups and worries and enjoy it.

  “Lay down,” he said, his voice commanding and she did as he bid, sprawled across the bed in a naked flushed heap. Her body was loose and relaxed after the intense orgasm, her juices flowing freely between her legs. She was so wet he could easily slide deep inside of her and the thought of th
at made her breathe deep in anticipation.

  Tanner stood at the foot of the bed, his gaze never leaving her as he slowly started to strip. Her mouth hung open as he revealed himself, the perfection of his broad chest, slim hips encased in black boxer briefs. His erection jutted forward against the fabric, and she could tell he was huge.

  Apprehension filled her. Would he even be able to fit? Was it going to hurt? She had no idea.

  The thought of it wasn’t going to stop her though.

  Tanner couldn’t take his gaze off her. He licked his lips, the taste of her lingering on his tongue, and he remembered how responsive she’d been once she got over her initial shyness.

  Her eyes had nearly bugged out of her head when she spotted his hard-on, and he’d wanted to smile with pride. After feeling unmanned by the fact his ex-wife had left him for another woman, it gave him a little thrill to have a woman eye his equipment with satisfaction. Or surprise.

  He’d take either.

  Maddie’s skin glowed, her cheeks rosy, nipples rock hard and tempting. His cock twitched, desperate to be inside of her and he grabbed the one and only condom he had from his wallet and rolled it on. He wanted to fuck her hard and fast, ram himself inside of her until they both shouted their orgasms. With only one condom, though, he really should take his time, explore her body, make it last.

  “Hurry,” she murmured, her encouragement surprising him and he knew he wasn’t going to take his time. His more than ready cock wouldn’t allow it.

  Joining her on the bed, Tanner covered her body with his. She’d been right, she was nothing like the women he’d gone out with in the past, nothing like his ex-wife. They were all too skinny he’d been afraid he’d hurt them if he was on top. Taking them out for a meal was pointless. They were caught up in the way they looked. Hell, he had fucked one model who’d been so wrapped up in her own looks he had caught her studying her face in the mirror when he went down on her.

  Maddie had curves in all the right places. She had a body like a real woman. Lush breasts, nipped in waist, womanly hips and forever-long legs. The softest, most fragrant skin he’d ever encountered, her scent wrapped around him as he hauled her close. He slipped his arms around her waist, stared down at her dewy face, her pretty lips swollen by his kisses and felt something give way deep inside of him.