Rhythm of Love

by J. Hali Steele

  One hand shoved up her skirt and ripped at the crotch of her panties. “Oh God,” she murmured against his mouth. His fingers forced their way into her vagina and she squirmed to the edge of the desk, wedging her body closer to his.

  His fingers pumped in and out of her, moving her toward the quickest orgasm she’d ever experienced. His roughness and his tongue sweeping through her mouth only served to make her want more. She tried to break their kiss to beg for more, but his hand behind her head held them locked together.

  Heat built in the pit of her stomach, coursed down through her pelvis, and liquid flowed from her canal as an orgasm washed over her. He stroked her pussy, his hand bruising her thighs each time he jammed his fingers inside. Her breath came in shallow gulps when he released her nape and buried his head against her neck. She bit into his shoulder and keened softly while her core clenched and released more of her juices.

  She barely registered the sound of someone trying to enter the office. Carter must have locked the door when he came in.

  “Christ, Bree.” He kissed her neck, brought her head up, brushed his lips across her cheek. “I’m sorry.” He attempted to tug her skirt down before she stood on wobbly legs. “I didn’t mean to do that.”

  She straightened her disheveled clothes and hurried to the restroom while he went to open the door.

  How was she going to tell him now?

  Chapter Two

  Fit was perfect, snug but elastic enough to move in. He jutted his hips forward, hands on his waist, and gyrated to the left. To the right. Leaned in and swept back. It felt damn good. Yeah, it couldn’t be better than this.

  Friday night, and Carter was ready to dance.

  Two towns over they were holding a competition and he’d been prepared for weeks. He didn’t have to work on a tan, his job took care of that. He loved working shirtless outdoors and his skin was sun-kissed brown. A smattering of dark hair dusted his chest. Unlike the others, there was one thing he refused to do—wax. That was going too far.

  He swept his discarded clothes from the floor to toss in the hamper. Bree’s musky scent clung to his shirt and filled his nostrils. His erection was instant. Her not wearing what had fast become his favorite perfume never happened and he was glad. Briefly, he wished she did dance and that it’d be her on his arm tonight. Hell, like that could happen after what he’d done earlier. You ripped her underwear, jerk! He’d be lucky if she even showed up at work tomorrow. Carter shook his head, tried to clear thoughts of the tall, dark-haired beauty from his mind.

  Only room for one idea tonight. Winning. His partner could outperform any woman he’d ever danced with. They’d both been primed for weeks. He hoped her mood was good but more often than not, Cara could be a bitch. Something he’d have to deal with, and soon. He’d had it with her snotty attitude and her constant pushing for him to go professional.

  One more cursory glance in the mirror and he smiled. The pseudo tux looked awesome on his taut, muscled frame. Grabbing keys from the dresser, he left his bedroom. He ignored the red light blinking on his answering machine as he went through the living room. The cell phone vibrating in his pocket went unanswered. He was too excited to bother with either.

  * * * * *

  He’d reached his destination and the rhythmic strumming of the guitar exhilarated him. The melancholy beat caused his heart to race. Carter spoke to a few contestants, glancing around to see if his partner had arrived. Sometimes they met in a quiet corner by the bar to discuss their routine. He shoved through the swaying, gyrating sea of people and grabbed the last stool available. He ordered Tanqueray, straight up. Not nervous about Cara showing up yet, he looked over the room. It was a good crowd.

  A head of wavy hair moving through the throng caught his attention. Familiarity washed over him. Hell. He’d know her anywhere, and his dick immediately became engorged. What was Bree doing here? Caught totally off guard by her appearance, he started to sweat. The thing with the underwear blared in his mind along with the fact his employees weren’t aware he had a penchant for dance. If they found out, the guys would laugh, rib him for the tight outfits and fancy shoes, something he didn’t want to deal with. Christ.

  He watched her come closer. A smile curved the corner of her very kissable lips and he remembered how sweet they were. His chest tightened with jealousy when he watched a stranger hug her. The man’s hands rested lightly on her hips. How did they know each other? Carter wanted to do exactly what the guy did, take her in his arms, feel her pressed tight to his crotch. Damn if he liked watching someone else do just that. Heat flared in his crotch.

  She hadn’t noticed him yet, but she was moving his way. After being stopped twice more, she stood only feet from him talking to a female contestant. Her head turned to where he sat, almost as if she knew he was there. He almost choked on the gin he’d swallowed when their eyes met.

  “Carter, it’s good to see you.” Bree’s throaty, sexy voice slid down his spine, wet the tip of his penis. Relief washed over him that she didn’t seem upset about what happened between them. He’d waited for her to come from the bathroom at the office as long as he could, but had to leave for a meeting.

  He gazed up and down her body, his eyes stopping at the split in the icy blue satin dress that clung to every curve. It ended just below her thighs and made him think of the hot, wet spot he wanted to feel again. Damn if she didn’t look dressed to dance. The high heels made her taller and her body looked even better than he remembered from only hours ago.

  When she leaned to speak to someone, a swell of breast peeked at him from the side of the strapless concoction. He saw the thin invisible strap around her bare back. He let his eyes travel to where the pale blue material picked up again right above the crease of her ass. He wanted to put his hand there, feel the heat. Go down further and cup her cheeks. Let his tongue slide through the velvety warmth. Jesus!

  The scent of musk trailed around his head, pulling him in. Christ, this woman had his cock tied in a knot. His slacks grew snug, but the swell would barely be noticeable. He couldn’t perform a single step if he had to right now. Good thing his partner never affected him this way. Bree looked back at him and a smile lifted the corner of her mouth.

  “Bree. Didn’t know you hung out here. Can I buy you a drink?” The music roared in his ears. Carter hoped he hadn’t spoken too loud. He salivated as his gaze remained glued to her plump lips and he almost missed her answer.

  “Gin, straight up,” she said.

  He grinned. Lifting his drink, he moved it slowly to her pink lips. She opened and ran her tongue around the glass’s edge. She touched his hand, tilting it enough to take a swallow. He pulled it back, his eyes never leaving hers. “Umm, that’s good.”

  “You dance?” He envisioned dragging her into a dark hallway and taking her while the music pulsated against the walls.

  “As often as I can.” Brown eyes shimmered at him. He wanted to dive in, taste her. All of her. “Latin is my favorite.”

  “Hmm. Who’s your partner tonight?” His heart banged along with the drums from the dance floor. He didn’t want to know. Anybody holding her in an embrace so close, so hard, steamed him. Some lucky bastard would feel her grind against him. Tease him to the point of pain.

  “You.”

  “What?”

  Damn it to hell. Bree felt her face flame with embarrassment. Cara had promised she’d tell him. “I suppose Cara didn’t reach you?” She saw myriad expressions cross his face, one being pissed off. She’d done enough amateur competitions to know how important they were to some entrants. Unlike her roommate, she just loved to dance. Winning wasn’t important.

  He pulled his cell from his pocket, pushed a few buttons and placed it to his ear. She smoothed her dress and waited, anxious now. What if he refused to partner her once he found out the truth? She hoped not. Sure, he was her boss, but she’d wanted to feel his body against hers since the first day she’d seen him, and she’d finally gotten the chance. A few times. Sh
e might lose her job, but no way was she turning down the opportunity to be held in his arms. The man was sinfully gorgeous and tasted better than a fine wine.

  And Bree had come to like and respect him. He treated his men fairly and worked hard right beside them.

  It had been hard trying to remain professional, especially when he’d take his shirt off. She had smiled the first time, thinking about the famous soda commercial. He would have been a much better candidate for that part than the actor they used.

  She would peer at him through the small windows of the portable construction trailer. Every inch of his six-foot-one frame was hard. Muscles rippled across his abdomen when he stretched with his nail gun. His back often glistened with sweat and her mouth watered to taste him. The raw, musky smell of man when he entered their small work space made her cream with lust. Since he’d made a pass at her, not once but twice, professionalism be damned. She’d probably lose her job anyway, might as well reap some benefit.

  Tonight, Bree intended to have all of Carter Gates.

  Motioning in front of him with her hands, she mouthed the words, “Ladies’ room.” No need to wait here. If he said no, so be it. She’d go freshen up and try to relax. Close proximity to him had an undesired affect on her. Or desired.

  Her lipstick looked good, but she added a bit and brushed powder across her cheeks. The blue outfit had been borrowed from Cara. They were the same size and it fit perfectly, its color glowing against her tanned flesh. She’d taped all the places she didn’t want slipping. She’d chosen this one because it stuck to her butt like glue and showed the sweetheart shape of her behind. Her breasts mounded just the right amount over the top of the material that otherwise clung to her chest. The wispy, scalloped edging flowed around her legs and showed off calf muscles she’d developed dancing. She kept her body tight and in shape.

  Shoot, she’d forgotten to ask him what number they were in case he wanted to go through with the competition and if he wanted her as a partner. Throwing her stuff back in the slender fake designer clutch, she put the thin chain over her shoulder and left the restroom. This wasn’t one of her favorite clubs, the hallway always seemed too dark. She supposed the closed doors to her left and right along the hallway were storage rooms or offices.

  Hurrying, she glanced at her bag to make sure everything was stuffed in. Her body hit a hard wall of flesh and it shocked the hell out of her.

  “Excuse—”

  “Come here, beautiful.” He pulled her hard into his chest. “Let’s finish what we started at the office.”

  Carter’s gravelly voice zoomed straight between her legs. His mouth touched hers in a kiss that started soft and quickly turned hard, demanding. His tongue forced its way between her lips, tangled with hers. She melted against him, enjoyed his flavor. God, the man was delicious. She pulled back and tried to gain some perspective.

  “I’ve never felt like this.” He gazed at her. “I don’t do this every day, Bree, but I can’t stop with you.”

  “Carter, I can explain about the job…I—”

  “Shh, I just want to taste you.”

  “Here?”

  “Everywhere.”

  Hands clamped over her breasts as his tongue found its way back into her open mouth. She let him take her in a searing kiss, wanting to take a different part of him into herself. His cock nudged hard at her abdomen and heat simmered in her core.

  She felt one hand leave an aroused nipple, sweep a tingling path along her waist and move behind her. His fingers feathered down her spine, his hand breaking the tape at the top of her butt as it pushed inside the dress. He cupped her ass and raised her body enough to slide against his hard-on. Shit, he felt good. To hell with the competition. The only dance she wanted to do right now was the horizontal mambo.

  He broke the kiss and said, “God, you’ve gotten under my skin. I want you. Right here.”

  “Yes.” She heard the sound of a door open behind him and he pulled her into a dimly lit room. Her eyes focused on what looked like a workspace. His foot closed the door and he pushed her back against it. The sensuous, blaring music rocked the walls, sent a ribbon of excitement sliding through her. Her pussy clenched, hot and wet with need. “Now,” she whispered.

  His mouth locked on hers. Pulling from her, he grasped her lower lip and nibbled there. He swept his tongue to her ear, down the side of her neck where he tasted and sucked on the skin covering her pulse. Damn, he’s giving me a hickey! It made her core leak.

  “Mmm, Carter, give me something else,” Bree pleaded.

  “What? Tell me what?”

  Her back pressed to the door, he raised her dress, slipped a hand between her legs and stroked the inside of her thighs, made her knees buckle. His other hand quickly moved to her ass and held her up until she circled his neck with her arms.

  She could barely form the words to answer him. “You, I want you inside me.”

  Finding the string of underwear she wore, he ripped it from her.

  “You smell good,” he rasped in her ear. “I want to fuck you. Hard.”

  “Stop talking about it.” His chest vibrated against her with a chuckle. Thick fingers invaded her channel, made her cry out, “Ooh.” He pushed and pulled them through the slickness, rubbed her clit. She circled her hips on them, grabbing nothing but pleasure.

  “Your pussy is so tight. You like what I’m doing?”

  “Yes.” Bree wanted to come, fill his hand with the hot liquid he coaxed from her. Like a thrill ride, she reached the top and fell, floating over the edge. “Carter…coming…mmm,” she moaned. Her head fell against his chest, her breath coming in rapid puffs.

  “I need to taste you.” His hands spanned her waist and he knelt between her legs. Bree heard him inhale, the air whooshing from him to hit her swollen nether lips. Her back slammed on the door behind her and her hands jammed into his hair.

  His tongue touched her and sent her spiraling toward another climax. He dove into her pussy, stroked and suckled the now-swollen nubbin. His teeth grazed her, killed her. She knotted his hair in her fist and rode against his mouth, ready to explode. He pulled away from her.

  “Yeah, baby, give it to me.” It made her wild with abandon when he blew cool air onto her moist lips. His tongue lapped the folds, caressed and teased her. She couldn’t take any more. She bucked on his face and couldn’t stop. Juice poured from her, slid into his waiting mouth.

  “Carter,” she crooned.

  “So damn sweet,” he murmured.

  Chapter Three

  Shit. What had he done? Bree was his assistant, an employee, but Carter couldn’t help himself. He’d watched her ass switch away from him at the bar while he listened to Cara’s message. His cock grew so hard it was unbelievable. He wasn’t happy finding out his assistant and his partner knew each other. He was more pissed Cara wasn’t showing up. This was supposed to be his night.

  Suddenly, other things occupied his mind. There would always be another competition. Right now he wanted Bree. The woman had aroused every sense he had the day he met her. Could she dance?

  He’d admired her firm body and he wanted to be buried inside her bad. The pulsating sound of drums, the rhythmic chords of a guitar pushed him right across the floor. He was going to find her. Take her here in the club like he’d envisioned earlier.

  When she bumped into him coming from the ladies’ room, he was a goner.

  Now he stood over her, straightening her clothes, and he damn near succumbed to throwing her back against the wall, taking more of what he wanted. Their turn on the floor must be close and he needed to pull himself together. His cock throbbed with pain, and he felt the head of it dampen with desire.

  Should he apologize as he’d done earlier at the office? He wasn’t sorry and she wanted him as much. Hell, what a precarious position. He tugged at his jacket and bent to brush at his knees. The look in her eyes when his finally met them forced another drop to threaten the tip of his penis. Bree looked hungry.

 
“Damn, you tasted good.” That wasn’t the right thing to say, it was all he could think of.

  Her fingertips touched his warm lips, and he nibbled the tips of them. “I want to know how you taste,” she whispered.

  The groan escaped his throat unbidden, ricocheted around the small space. Christ, Bree had him right where she wanted him. He loved the sight of her ass as she turned and repaired the tape at the top of her butt.

  “Dance with me.” He pulled her from the room, down the hall. They were pretty far down the list but would be called to the floor shortly and announced. Reaching the table, he wasn’t shocked to find out they were up next. “You ready?” She looked so desirable with her lips puffy from kissing. Her smell, her taste—she rattled him in ways he hadn’t expected.

  He’d already decided what he would do with her. No plain Latin tonight. Gotan Project’s Whatever Lola Wants played over and over in his head. Tango. He leaned back to the guy at the table and gave him the instructions. Most clubs accepted tango as a Latin dance. This one was pretty relaxed and the couples on the floor barely registered the music change. They were all amateurs there to have a good time. Hell, he had looked forward to winning. When did that idea vanish? He watched her shove her purse beneath the registration table.

  He tugged her along behind him and wrapped his arm around her back, pulled her to him.

  “Uhh, this is Latin, right?”

  “Relax, you’re mine tonight.” He did a few steps in place, allowed her to feel the music. No way he’d let her get away. Not until he had all he wanted from her. “You’re going home with me.”

  He held her in the close embrace, felt her glorious body next to his. Carter was pleased so few dancers were on the floor. He stepped forward, she moved back, and another step back. Their eyes were locked. Hers glittered. He promenaded her to the side and she followed better than he’d expected. Bree was good.

  “I knew you could dance with me. Let’s show them tango, baby.” The music’s rhythm picked up, moved faster, and he guided her across the floor. She surprised him with a gancho—hooking her leg over his thigh. Dropping low, she followed him, her leg extended beautifully. Their eyes locked in a heated gaze, Bree rose with him, slowly sliding sensually up his body. Never wanting to let her go, he held her tight. Her breasts touched his chest as her body bowed sensuously forward. Carter edged her back until she stood straight and was drawn in his embrace once more.