by Cher Carson
She tapped her wine glass against his beer bottle. “I’d like that. It was nice talking to you, Lee.”
She reached into the bag at her feet and withdrew a business card. “Give me a call on Monday. I’d like to pick your brain about that case we were talking about.”
He looked at the card and smiled. “Yeah, sounds good. Maybe we can talk about it over dinner.”
She glanced up at Steve. “Sure, why not?”
Before she could say another word, Steve seized her hand and led her out the door.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, trying to shake him off.
“I heard you wanted to go out for a boat ride. I’ll take you.”
She pulled free of his grip and walked ahead of him, down the forty foot cedar dock toward his boats. One was a fishing boat, the other a cabin cruiser. “Which one?” she asked, folding her arms as she tapped a sandaled foot against the hot cedar planks.
He nodded his head toward the cabin cruiser, that one had a bed. She stepped onto the boat without waiting for him to board first so he could assist her. He boarded the boat and glared at her. “What the hell was that back there?”
She feigned innocence, shrugging her shoulders. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“All those guys back there hitting on you and you were eating it up, weren’t you?”
She pulled her tank top off to reveal two turquoise triangles that barely covered her tits. She’d obviously snuck into the powder room to change out of her wet bikini into a dry one. “It’s my business who I flirt with. Deal with it.”
He suppressed the urge to growl in frustration. The woman was maddening. And outrageously sexy. “You made it my business when you stuck your tongue down my throat.”
She slipped her tight denim shorts over her hips to reveal two scraps of fabric secured by strings. “You think just because I kissed you it means you have the right to stake your claim? Give me a break. I just met you.”
“What if I fucked you right now? Would that give me the right to stake my claim?” he demanded. He had a high tolerance for bullshit, but she finally pushed him to his limit.
She set her hands on her hips, glaring at him. “No, just because I sleep with a guy doesn’t mean he owns me. I do what I want, when I want, with whom I want.”
He reached out to grab her arm, pulling her into the solid wall of his bare chest. “That’s where you’re wrong. ‘Cause if you even think about fucking some other guy while you’re sharing my bed, I’ll hunt him down and make him wish he’d never laid eyes on you.”
She trembled in his arms, and he knew that, despite her cool façade, she wanted a man who wasn’t afraid to take control in the bedroom. Fortunately, he was just the man for the job.
“You like the sound of that, don’t you, baby?” He grabbed her wrists, pinning her hands behind her back. “You’ve never had a man take the lead before, have you?”
Her blue eyes were wide, the pupils dilated, as she shook her head.
He smirked. “I didn’t think so. I’m willing to bet you usually choose guys who are too classy to get rough in the bedroom. Am I right?”
Her gaze dropped to his chest, but she didn’t respond.
“You think you like being in control in the courtroom and in the bedroom, but I’m willing to bet you’re curious what it would be like to really let go.”
She gave him a barely perceptible nod, as though she was ashamed to acknowledge a weakness. He cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Baby, it’s okay. Relinquishing control doesn’t make you weak.”
She drew a deep, shuddering breath. “I’m not weak. I’m strong, in control...”
He kissed her gently on the lips. “Wouldn’t it be nice to trust someone enough to be able to let go without worrying about the consequences?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never, I mean…”
He knew she was terrified of confessing a need that had been buried forever, especially to a stranger. “It’s okay, sweetheart,” he whispered. “I’m not going to judge you. But I want a woman who isn’t afraid of the kind of relationship I need.”
She sunk her straight white teeth into her bottom lip, looking uncertain. “What kind of relationship do you need?”
He laughed, stroking her upper arms with his fingertips. “I need a woman who’s adventurous, willing to take risks.”
She stepped out of his arms, bending to pick up her clothes. “I don’t think I like where you’re going with this.”
She was a firecracker, no question about it. He may gain her compliance in the bedroom, but he had no doubt she would give him a run for his money everywhere else. He grabbed a strand of her long blond hair, twirling it around his index finger. “I think you would, if you gave it a chance.”
She looked skeptical. “What makes you think I’m woman enough to keep you happy?”
His hot gaze raked over her luscious body. “Baby, if you’re not woman enough, there’s no woman who’ll ever be enough.”
She shook her head, smiling. “This is crazy. I can’t believe I’m even having this conversation.”
He grabbed her arm, forcing her to look at him. “What’s so crazy about being with a man who can give you what you need?”
“What you’re asking of me, it goes against who I am. I’m used to being in control of my life, my career, and my relationships. That’s the way I want it.”
“Is it, Brook? Is it really?” he asked, looking her in the eye. “I think you were parading around here today and flirting with my friends just to push my buttons. I think you knew it would piss me off and you wanted to see if I would call you on it.”
She sneered. “You’re wrong. I prefer a man who’s willing to submit to my demands.”
He rolled his eyes. “God, you don’t really believe that, do you?” He pointed to a sofa lining one wall. “Sit down.”
“No.”
He gritted his teeth. “Please, have a seat.”
She complied, smiling. “Much better. See how easy that was?”
He sat down beside her, setting his arm behind her head as he turned to face her. “Tell me about your last boyfriend, your last lover. What was he like?”
The color rose in her cheeks and he knew instantly that it had been a while. “He was a nice guy, a lawyer. He was decent, honest, and respectful. We were very compatible.”
He held up her left hand. “Huh, I guess you weren’t that compatible. You’re not wearing his ring.”
She folded her arms over her chest and glared at him. “I’ll have you know he wanted to marry me, but I wasn’t ready to make that kind of commitment.”
“Are you ready now?” he asked quietly. At thirty-six, he knew he was ready. He wanted her to tell him she was willing to take that step when she found the right man.
“I don’t know, maybe.” She frowned. “Why are you asking me all of these questions?”
He slid his hands under her hair and began massaging the back of her neck. “I want to get to know you. I want to know everything about you.” He leaned in, kissing her shoulder, his tongue gliding up her neck. “What do you say, baby? Think you’re willing to take a chance on me, on us?”
She rolled her head to the side, looking him in the eye. “I don’t know what you’re asking of me.”
“Let me show you.” He reached over to pull her into his lap so she was straddling him. Having her succulent nipples level with his mouth made it difficult to form a cohesive thought. “I’m going to take you outside of your comfort zone, in and out of the bedroom. You think you want a certain kind of man, but I want to prove to you that I’m the man you need.”
She ran her hands through his hair, pressing her tits closer to his lips. “Show me,” she whispered.
He reached up to tug on the string running the width of her back, pulling the scrap of fabric over her head. “The sex is gonna be anything but routine. I love sex, anywhere, everywhere, all the time, and with a body like yours,
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get enough.”
She tried to force her nipple into his mouth. “Please, Steve…”
Chapter Three
Brooklyn had the sinking feeling she was making a deal with the devil. His demands, though outlandish, excited and intrigued her. She had never been interested in domineering, possessive men in the past, but perhaps it was time to try something new. Her previous lovers were always kind, considerate, and boring. Pathetic that, at the age of thirty-three, she had yet to have a partner bring her to climax. Perhaps that would change tonight.
“Stand up,” he said, easing her off his lap. “Take this off.” He loosened the string on her bikini bottoms. “By the way, this scrap of material doesn’t qualify as a bathing suit, so don’t even think about wearing in public. You’ll get arrested for indecent exposure.”
She turned around, offering him a glimpse of her round ass. “Don’t worry; I have the best defense team in the business on retainer.”
He smacked her ass hard enough to make her flinch. “Maybe I didn’t make myself clear the first time. I asked you not to wear that in public, ever again.”
She turned around to face him, appalled that his high-handed behavior was making her so hot and wet. She should be livid, not aroused. What the hell was wrong with her?
He smiled, lacing his hands behind his head. “You’re turned on, admit it.”
“I…” She couldn’t deny it, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of admitting it.
“It’s okay, baby. What happens in our bedroom stays between us, always. I’m not into locker room talk, not when it’s someone I care about.”
She hadn’t even considered the possibility that he might discuss their sex life with his friends and teammates. That added a new dimension to her discomfort. “Steve, I don’t know if I can do this.”
He smiled. “Relax. Take that off. I want to look at you.”
She freed the strings, allowing the bit of fabric to fall to the floor at her feet.
“Hmmm Brazilian, I love it, so hot.”
She felt the color rising in her cheeks. No man had ever made her so hot without even touching her.
“I want you to stay just like that,” he said, getting up.
“Uh, what do you mean? Where are you going?”
“We’re going to take the boat somewhere a little more private. The guys have been swimming off the dock all day. Once we get started, I don’t want to be interrupted.”
She felt a thrill of anticipation at the thought of being caught. “Maybe we should just stay here.” Adventurous sex had never even entered the realm of possibility before, but as long as she was stepping out of her comfort zone, she might as well take a giant leap.
He scowled, gripping her chin in his hand. “You really think I’d let my buddies watch? Never gonna happen, Brook.”
She could feel his gentle touch all the way to her pussy. She widened her stance, hoping he would see fit to apply the same gentle pressure to her clit. “I thought guys got off on that sort of thing?”
“With another woman I might consider it, but with you, never.”
She loved that he upgraded her to a superior class than the other women who’d shared his bed. A sliver of doubt crept in when she thought about the endless parade of women who’d given him pleasure over the years. How could she begin to compete with that? More importantly, did she even want to?
He thrust his hand into her hair, tilting her head back. “I saw that.”
She swallowed, thinking how much she loved his rough touch. She was curious how far he was willing to take it, how far she’d allow him take it. “What?” she whispered.
“Fear, apprehension, doubt… I don’t want to see that look in your eyes again, ever. You have nothing to fear with me. I’d never hurt you. If this is going to work, you have to trust me,” he whispered.
“How can I trust you? I don’t even know you.”
He took a step closer, sliding both of his hands into her hair as he drew her face to his. “You can walk away right now, if you’re not sure about me.”
She didn’t want to walk away, she wanted to run away, but she knew if she did, it may be one of her biggest regrets. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He nodded, seemingly satisfied with her response. “Are you taking birth control?” he asked.
She couldn’t believe she was standing here, completely naked, in the company of the sexiest man she had ever met in the flesh, talking openly about birth control. Clearly, he was intent on lowering all of her inhibitions before he ravished her. “I’m on the pill.”
“Good. Tell me something, have you ever had sex bareback?”
She closed her eyes, embarrassed by his directness.
“Open your eyes and answer my question, now.”
She recognized the warning tone in his voice and opened her eyes. “No, never.”
“Good. Tonight will be a first.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think I’m comfortable with that.”
“Okay, do you mind telling me why?”
She expected him to argue with her, to insist.
When she failed to respond right away, he sighed. “Baby, I told you I’d never ask you to do anything you weren’t comfortable with. I meant it. If you’re not ready to have sex without a condom, I can respect that, but I’d like to know your reasons for holding back.”
She didn’t want to risk insulting him, but she had a feeling he wasn’t easily embarrassed. “I have no idea how many other women you’ve been with, whether it’s safe…”
He smiled, kissing her lips. “You’re a smart lady, but I already knew that. The doctors run a full battery of tests at the start of every season, but I want you to know that I never have unprotected sex.”
She didn’t want to pry, but he was the one promoting full disclosure. “Not even with a serious girlfriend?”
He shrugged. “I’ve never gotten that serious with anyone.”
She frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ve never trusted anyone enough to take that kind of risk. A woman could easily tell me she’s using protection when, in fact, she’s trying to trap me with a baby I never wanted.”
Given his status, it would make sense for him to cautious. “How do you know I wouldn’t do that?”
He leaned into to kiss her. “You’re a successful lawyer; you don’t need a rich guy to take care of you.”
She tipped her head back to give him access to her neck. “You’re right. I don’t need anyone to take care of me. I can take care of myself.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist. “What if I want to take care of you?”
She didn’t like where this was going. She recognized the signs, and there was no way she was getting involved with a guy who intended to treat her like a piece of arm candy. She flattened her palms against his chest. “I like you, Steve. You’re sexy as hell, but having sex with you would be a mistake.”
He stared at her for a long minute before grabbing a T-shirt lying on a nearby chair and thrusting it into her hands. “Fair enough, put this on. I’ll take you home.”
She stood there, gaping at him. “You want me to leave, right now?”
“Listen, I’m not interested in wasting my time with a woman who isn’t into me.”
He turned to walk away, but she grabbed his arm. “This is crazy. You know I’m attracted to you, but...”
“I already told you, once would never be enough for me.” His eyes travelled the length of her body. “I don’t think I could ever get enough of you. So, if you’re already thinking of bailing, I’m not even going to risk it.”
“Risk it? Risk what?” she asked, her frustration mounting. She just wanted to experience incredible sex at the hands of a man she was sure was a master, not commit to happily ever after.
“You’re a smart lady; you can figure it out,” he said, turning his back on her.
Chapter Four
By the time she returned
from the boat, Steve was immersed in conversation with a group of his friends on the patio.
Nick came up behind her, settling his arm around her neck. “Hey, where’d you go? I was lookin’ all over for ya.”
He reeked of beer and stale cigars, making her want to wretch. So much for her ride home. She hadn’t considered the fact that she would be stuck here with Steve overnight. Not that she would mind, if the man wasn’t so obstinate.
“Steve was just showing me his boat,” she said, trying to slip out of his grasp. “You should check it out. It’s beautiful.”
His hand moved down to cup her ass. “Only if you’ll come with me.”
“Get your…” Steve came up behind them, grabbing Nick’s arm and twisting it behind his back. “Don’t make me break your arm a few weeks before the pre-season starts, Morris.”
“What the fuck?”
“If I ever see you grab her like that again, I won’t think twice about kicking your ass. Consider yourself warned.” Steve released his arm, shoving him forward.
Nick glared at him. “She’s my date. Why don’t you mind your own fucking business, Davis?”
“Your date thinks you’re a dickhead, same as the rest of us.”
Nick looked at Brooklyn. “Why don’t you let her speak for herself?”
Brooklyn knew tact was wasted on a man like Nick, especially in his inebriated state, so she opted for brutal honesty. “He’s right, sorry.”
“You little bitch,” he said, taking a step toward her. “It was him you wanted all along, wasn’t it?” He crooked a finger at Steve. “You were just using me to get to him.”
Steve grabbed his shoulder, hauling him back.
Brooklyn was used to dealing with confrontations. She dealt with enraged men too often in her line of work. “No, I thought you might be a decent guy. Obviously, I was wrong.”
“You didn’t even give me a chance,” he shouted. “As soon as you got here, you were all over Davis. You think just ‘cause he’s got a bigger contract, he’s got a bigger dick, too? Sorry, baby, it don’t work that way.”
