Music, beat, rhythm clashed around them as they captured the floor in hard, sure movements. Each time he brought her close, he filled his lungs with her scent. His cock rubbed her when she rode up or down his body. She kicked, he parried, they moved in slow motion across the parquet.
“I will take you tonight.”
“I will give you everything,” she breathed back at him as she threw her leg in a high kick. She went on her toes and he spun her in a quick circle. Face-to-face, she gripped his waist and moved behind him. Her back was to his as she shimmied slowly down, then came up even slower. He turned and grasped her hips, brought her full onto his hardness.
Taking her hands in his, he said, “I can’t wait to be inside you.”
“I want you there.”
He slid sideways, one leg bent and she splayed her body across his knee, her chest rising and falling with each breath. He snapped her up and into his body. She hooked her leg up and around his waist. Her musky odor, the scent of her sex, assailed him, made him weak. He lunged forward, pushing her back leg out farther until she hung against him.
“Mine.”
“Take it.”
When the music stopped and the clapping began, Carter remembered they weren’t alone. Shit! He pulled her from the dance floor, wedging through the crowd gathered on its edge. He didn’t plan on hanging around for the individual free dance. She reached for her purse and he heard someone say they had to be the winners. He didn’t care. He wanted to take her to his house, to his bed. He felt like his cock would burst at any minute.
“Your coat?”
“I checked it.” He watched impatiently as she dug in her small bag for the ticket.
“Wait here.” As he walked away, he adjusted his erection. It had painfully lodged against the front of his slacks. Christ, he’d never been so hard.
* * * * *
“Bree!” She turned at the sound of Cara’s voice in the entrance. The tall blonde moved toward her. What was she doing here? She should have been in Santa Barbara.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Her friend’s brow lifted in puzzlement at the sound of disappointment in Bree’s voice.
“My sister called at the last minute. She didn’t need me this weekend.” Her sister was a single parent and Cara kept the kids when she went away on business. “Carter wasn’t too upset was he?” Her laugh was shakier than her smile.
“Why don’t you ask him yourself?” She spun with Cara at the sharp, angry voice behind them. “I didn’t miss you at all.”
“I’m sorry, my sister thought she had to leave town.”
Bree watched him and his eyes never left hers. She wasn’t looking forward to the conversation to explain her part in their deception. “Like I said, I didn’t miss you. Why didn’t you tell me you knew Bree?”
“She needed a job. I was afraid you wouldn’t hire her if you knew we were friends.”
“I see.”
“Look, we were going to tell you once you got to know her and saw she could do the job. Tonight just happened.”
“I see.”
“Shit, Carter, say something else, please.” Cara’s thin, nasally voice inched an octave higher. She lived to dance. They’d met taking classes together a year ago and became roommates and friends even though they circulated in different social circles. Her friend hung with a crowd that had dreams of bigger, better things and she often told Bree she thought Carter could help her attain what she wanted. She’d been unable to coax him into Los Angeles for the bigger contests where she might be noticed by someone important. Cara made all the rounds to cattle calls for dancers, complaining she never had the right partner to show her off. She thought Carter was the one.
There was a different look in Cara’s eyes tonight and her cheeks were enflamed. A look Bree saw more often than not lately—she was angry. Exactly how many times had her roommate come on to her boss? He hadn’t taken her up on the offer. Yet. But she knew how persuasive her friend could be, had seen it many times.
Her nipples ached, moisture beaded between her thighs and she’d be going to her own apartment. Alone. She couldn’t go home with Carter now. She didn’t want to upset or disappoint Cara.
“Look, we’ll talk later. Bree and I were on our way out.” Bree’s heart pounded. Cara sucked in air, but before she said anything, another dancer came over to congratulate them. Kevin, who had a really bad crush on Cara.
“You guys were hot,” he gushed. “Where’s everybody heading? Hope you don’t mind if I tag along?” His voice wavered, pleaded. He’d do anything to be with her friend.
Cara grabbed Kev’s arm. “We’ll hang out with you.”
Bree sighed, her plan for the rest of the evening shot to pieces.
“We’re going to my place. Join us if you like,” Carter said. She stiffened in shock. She’d been positive he wanted to be alone with her. Damn it all to hell, what had happened? It didn’t matter, she’d probably lost her job anyway and he didn’t want to be alone with her when he fired her.
Carter’s voice jolted her back to the present. “Follow me in your car, Bree.”
“Sure.”
“Cara can ride with me,” Kevin added.
Bree parked behind him in the driveway of a nice house off Ventura Boulevard in one of the better neighborhoods. She frequented a Latin club not far from here and she wondered why she’d never seen him there.
“Do you ever go to the club over on Canoga?” she asked as he showed her into his house. Kevin and Cara hadn’t arrived yet.
He closed the door and pushed her against it. “I don’t want to talk about dance right now. This is what I want.” He wriggled her dress up and stroked between her legs. She hissed in a stream of air. His fingers slid into her pussy. “Mmm, you’re so hot.” His lips smothered her face with burning kisses. His tongue pushed at her mouth, seeking entrance. She broke her lips from his.
“Why did you ask them to join us?”
“I need to tell you about your friend.” His fingers continued to play inside her. He pulled out, pinched her clit, eased slowly through her wet folds. Brought her near orgasm. She moved up and down on his hand for the second time tonight. Cream poured from her and puffs of air left her body through pinched lips. Cara, her job, everything became a distant memory.
“Carter, yes,” she whispered in his ear as he nibbled on her neck. “Don’t play with me.”
The knock on the door made them jump. She quickly pushed her dress down, straightened it as best she could.
“Shit,” he grumbled against her ear. “We’ll talk later, I promise.” She moved to sit on the sofa as he answered the door. Would they smell sex permeating the entranceway? It filled her nose and at this point, Bree didn’t give a damn. She wanted to clear the air with Carter, and she hoped he’d still want her as much as she wanted him. Her friend meant a lot to her, but this was ridiculous. She wanted this man, they were single, and Cara’d had her chance.
“Hey,” Kev said, flopping beside her on the couch. “Thought we lost you guys. Good thing Cara knew where you lived, man.”
“Yes, she’s been here before.”
Bree grew warm and uncomfortable. Had her friend been completely honest? What did he mean earlier when he said he needed to tell her about her friend? Had something happened between them she wasn’t aware of? Damn it. She glanced across the room where Carter mixed martinis for everyone, and caught him glaring at Cara.
“Where’s your ladies’ room?” She needed to escape for a minute, pull herself together. He pointed toward the hall.
“Second door on your left.”
“I’ll be right back.” Bree walked down the hall and opened the door. She must have misunderstood because she found herself in a sumptuously appointed bedroom filled with masculine oak furniture. Everything was blue and white. The California king-sized bed rested against a wall near the window. The breeze at night would be wonderful. She stared at the paisley design on the coverlet thinking what it would be like to lie t
here with him.
“It’s nice, huh?” The sound of Cara’s voice chilled her. Had she slept with Carter? It shouldn’t matter now, but it did. Hell, he was her boss and she’d danced with him one night. You did more than dance, my girl. Lord, she wanted more, but if he’d been with her friend, things were different.
“Yes, it is.” She spun on her heels and brushed past Cara. “I opened the wrong door. Which one is the bathroom?” Cara gestured across the hall. “Thanks.” She disappeared inside, stood by the counter and peered at her reflection. Her lips still had that just-kissed look and her pussy remained wet from his touch. What the hell should she do? Just ask him. As soon as she got him alone, she’d do that. Bring an end to the misery and turmoil her mind had fallen into.
When she came from the bathroom, Carter was waiting by the door.
“I thought you got lost.” Where had Cara gone? Her head twisted both ways and saw nobody. The bedroom door was closed. She tried to move by him and he grabbed her hand.
“Come back here.” He tugged her to him, his hands covering her ass. “I want to finish what we started. Feel this.” He moved her hand to his crotch. The bulge was big and hard. Unable to resist, she pressed it, kneaded his balls and ran her fingers up the length of him through his pants. A whimper escaped her lips as she leaned into him.
His lips crushed hers and his tongue prodded her mouth open. He’d jostled her toward his room, turned the knob and pushed her inside. Using his heel, he kicked the door closed and nudged her back to his bed until her knees hit and she stopped. His mouth moved down her neck, his tongue flicking the sensitive spot where her neck joined her shoulder.
“I can’t do this.”
He lifted his head and pierced her with a hot stare. “Why not? What did she say to you?” His eyes grew dark.
“Nothing. I’d like to go home.”
“Not until you tell me what happened. I saw her in the hallway. What did she say about me?”
“Look, if you’ve been with her, it’s not my business. But she’s my friend and I won’t hurt her.” Her body trembled when he pushed her away. He left her rooted to the spot and strode to the door. He yanked it open with such force it slammed the wall.
“Cara,” he bellowed as he stepped into the hall.
Oh shit, what had she said wrong?
Chapter Four
Carter stormed down the hallway, his erection softening with each step, wondering how things had gotten to this point. He wanted Bree. Hell, for the first time in a long time, he wanted to keep somebody around. He could picture her mussed hair in the morning. Smell her next to him. Feel her ass rub against him. Jesus, don’t get hard again.
He’d gone to retrieve Bree’s coat, and when he came back, low and behold, his errant partner stood there, wondering if he was upset. He’d proceeded to upset, fast. In fact, he’d nailed her with a look that should have warned her to back off. He wanted to leave and take Bree with him.
Cara was a damn fine dancer, one of the best. The group they ran with were all good. They often told Carter he should try out for bit parts. He wasn’t interested. He was a weekend warrior—that’s all. Over the years they’d danced together, she’d come on to him numerous times. Showed up unannounced at his house and always wangled a sleepover. He locked his bedroom, afraid she’d wander in by mistake. A gorgeous girl but someone he never became interested in. She was needy and a pain in the ass. She’d made a few bad mistakes when she’d seen him out with someone, or when she appeared on his stoop and he did have a lady over.
His hackles rose and he rubbed his neck thinking about what she might have told Bree. He’d never known her to lie outright, but the woman had a way of twisting the truth that was unfuckingbelievable.
He’d thought to diffuse the situation by inviting her and Kevin along. The man had one hell of a crush on Cara. God knows why. Two peas in a pod. Kev was a better-than-average dancer and the two of them would make a great pair. They were both still young and taught part-time together at a local dance studio. Tonight he’d meant to push things in that direction. He had no intention of letting Bree escape. He’d deal with the fact she was an employee later.
He hadn’t counted on Cara following her friend to the bathroom. What the hell had she told her? Everything had been fine until then. Christ, Bree had been so hot for him earlier, he almost came as he fingered her at the door. Now she was absolutely cold and hell-bent on leaving.
He entered the living room and saw Cara standing by the bar.
“What the hell did you say to Bree?” She looked at him with her baby blues like he’d lost his mind.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
Through clenched teeth, he asked, “Kevin, do me a favor and take Cara home, please.”
“Sure.” The smile lighting the guy’s face was pathetic. Carter almost felt sorry for him. He couldn’t believe it when Cara argued with him.
“I’m not ready to go home.” Her chin obstinately jutted forward.
“Yeah, you are. At least you’re leaving here.”
“Carter, you’re my partner.” Her mouth turned into a pout. Her face became a mottled red and her body shook. He wondered how he’d survived her this long.
“No, Cara. I was your partner. Not anymore. Goodbye.”
“That bitch. She had no right. She was only supposed to take my place for one night.” Her hands curled into fists.
“This has been coming for a long time. You’re possessive, spoiled and mean. I’ve watched for years as you manipulated people to suit yourself, but not anymore. Not with me. Get out. Kevin, take her out of here, now.”
“You’ll be sorry. She’s not nearly as good as I am.”
“You still don’t understand, do you? It’s not about dancing. It’s about being a lady.”
He watched her shift under Kev’s slight pressure to push her toward the front door. He wanted to see her gone. For good. He’d had enough of her mood swings and bullshit.
He filled his lungs with a deep breath of relief and sighed when the door shut behind them. Now he had to make Bree understand how much he wanted her. It was more than that, he felt like he needed her. She hadn’t come from his room yet. Sure she must have heard the nasty things her friend said, he gave her time to gather herself.
He mixed a fresh batch of martinis and waited. He thought about his life.
Carter grew up wanting to be a dancer. In high school he took all the necessary classes, belonged to the drama club. But he became hooked on woodworking. Building things with his hands always soothed him. It’s what he excelled at. He kept up with dance only as a recreational outlet. He’d wondered sometimes if he could have been a pro, but it never ate at him. It was enough to enjoy it when he could. Lately he’d become lonely and thought a lot about settling down, starting a family. Until now, he’d never met anyone he wanted to do that with.
An hour passed and he couldn’t take it anymore. He crept down the hall to his bedroom. The door was slightly ajar. He pushed it open and was taken aback by what he found.
Bree lay curled like a baby, fast asleep, in the middle of his bed. He moved closer and saw the tear stains through her makeup. His heart wrenched at the sight. Goddamn Cara for hurting her. A protective feeling like nothing he’d ever felt before overwhelmed him.
He kicked his shoes off and removed his socks, pushing them beneath the bed. The buttons of his shirt almost popped as he quickly undid them. His pants were pushed from his hips in no time. He scooped them from the floor, aimed for a chair across the room, and missed.
He tried not to wake her as he slid softly behind her. He wrapped an arm around her, and just held her. His cocked jerked against her ass. It felt so good.
“Carter, I’m sorry.”
Damn, he woke her up.
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” He pressed his lips to her shoulder.
“She’s a good dancer. You enjoyed partnering her.”
“Not so much anymore. Cara…has problems, Bree.”
“She wants stardom so bad,” she sniffled, “she thought it was possible with you.”
“Cara needs to get her head on straight. She’s young and can still make it.”
“What’ll I do now?”
“You let me make love to you.”
* * * * *
Bree had stood slightly outside the living room doorway and listened to the venom in her friend’s voice. She’d known for some time Cara had a mean streak a mile long. She was the bitch yet she’d glared at Carter with fire in her eyes and had called Bree one. Poor Kevin. He was so hooked on her, his life would be hell.
She’d retreated back to the safety of his room and climbed in the big bed. She’d intended to rest for a minute, pull it together, but she cried herself to sleep. At least Carter had never touched Cara. It should have been a consolation, still, she was sad for her friend.
When he crawled in bed and held her, she felt so relieved. She wanted this man so much.
“I want you to make love to me.” She turned her body to face him. His gray eyes were crystal clear as they looked at her. She ran her fingertips down his face. He had a five o’clock shadow and it made him more handsome than ever. “I’ve wanted that since the first day I laid eyes on you.”
He ran his hand down her side, over her hip. She shuddered under his touch. “Take your dress off.”
She came to a sitting position, and pulled the flimsy material over her head. She wore no bra—one was built into the dancer’s outfit. She smiled, remembering what had happened to her underwear.
“What?”
“You owe me a pair of panties, mister.”
Rhythm of Love Page 3
