Claimed By Him: (Contemporary Romance Box Set)

by Alexis Winter

  Griffin smiles. “I know exactly how you feel, Cam, trust me. But what the hell did you think was going to happen when you started sleeping together? We both know the whole friends-with-benefits lie is complete bullshit.”

  “I was honest with her, Grif. I told her that I wasn’t looking for long-term, and that I don’t do relationships or marriage and all that. Once this is done, we will go our separate ways as planned. Trust me, she has her eyes on some doctor she works with.”

  “Oh, you thought that little caveat would keep her from developing feelings?” he says sarcastically.

  “She doesn’t have feelings for me. I just told you she’s talking to some doctor asshole and is apparently dating him now.” I finish the rest of my beer and wave over the bartender for another.

  Griffin lets me continue to throw a pity party, but more than anything, it’s just making me realize what an asshole I’ve been. After another drink, we both head home and I decide that I need to apologize to Sam.

  I don’t plan on telling her why I lashed out, plus I think Griffin is full of shit. I’m not in love with her. It’s just all the emotions from sex getting in the way, not to mention the sting of rejection.

  It’s late by the time I get home, and I poke my head in her room and see her fast asleep with Cocoa beside her on a pillow. I reach down and give Cocoa’s head some scratches, and she gives me a couple quick sniffs before nestling down and purring. She is a pretty cute cat and it’s damn near adorable how much Sam cares about her.

  I head back to my room and strip down to my boxers. I slide into bed and the cold sheets feel refreshing against my skin. I can’t stop thinking about the way Samantha makes me feel. Is this love? I wouldn’t know, to be honest. I’ve never experienced it before.

  The next morning, Sam has already left for work. It’s a Saturday, so while I don’t normally work, I decide to head into the office to get my mind off of our fight last night. I shuffle through case files and court documents, not digesting anything that I’m reading. Finally, I flip on the giant flat screen in my office and watch ESPN for a while before I decide I can’t focus.

  I pull out my phone and find a local florist, ordering a few dozen roses I can pick up on the way home. I also call Samantha’s favorite restaurant and place a to-go order for later this evening. I want to show her that I’m not always a complete asshole who only thinks about getting in her pants and pissing people off.

  It’s nearing 7:30 p.m. when I hear the front door open. I’ve checked my watch nervously for the past hour or so, anxiously awaiting her arrival. I walk into the kitchen to see her standing at the counter with her eyes closed. Her hair is piled high on her head, leaving her long, slender neck exposed. I try not to get sidetracked by thoughts of running my lips along her supple skin. She lets out a long sigh as her hands massage her neck and her head lolls forward.

  “Long day?” I say, startling her.

  She places her hand on her chest to steady herself. “Jesus, you scared me. Yeah, kind of forgot how long these twelve-hour shifts feel after not working for five days.” She’s tense and I can tell last night is still bothering her.

  She gives me a small smile and grabs her bag before starting for her room.

  “Samantha?”

  She stops and turns toward me. “Hmm?”

  “I’m sorry. I was out of line last night and well, frankly, I was a complete asshole. You don’t deserve to be treated like that.” I can see relief start to wash over her face as her features soften.

  “Actually, I was going to apologize to you. I—I don’t know what got into me last night, and you were right about my careless and thoughtless actions. I shouldn’t have said what I said to you. I didn’t mean it.”

  I step toward her, unsure of what I’m doing. Do I kiss her? Hug her? I do neither.

  “I, uh, have an apology dinner prepared in the dining room. I picked up your favorite, Agostino’s.”

  “Cam, you didn’t have to do that.”

  This time, I step closer and cup her cheek. Something stirs in my stomach and I realize: this woman is everything I want. I have never in my life been prompted to say those three little words, but suddenly, it’s all I can do to hold back from yelling them. I lean in and place a soft kiss on her lips. I pull back and look at her, then lean in again, this time covering her bottom lip with my own, pulling it into my mouth to softly suck on.

  She quickly steps back and pulls my hand from her face. “I should really get out of these scrubs. Trust me, you don’t want hospital germs all over you.” She smiles and walks away, but something still feels off.

  “Mmm…” A soft moan escapes her lips and her eyelids flutter shut as she wraps them around her fork. While I’m preoccupied with trying to figure out how to fix things, I can’t help my body’s reaction to her sounds. My dick twitches, and I’ve never been so jealous of a bit of lasagna before.

  “Hey, so I was thinking…” She places her fork down on her plate and takes a long sip of her wine. Shit, this doesn’t sound good.

  “I think that us sleeping together really complicated things. I know this is a job and we both have lives outside of this once it’s over, so maybe it’s best if we just keep it simple.”

  Ah, the easy letdown. Seems like she’s made up her mind about being with Dr. Whatever-the-Fuck-His-Name-Is.

  “Did I do something wrong in bed? Something you didn’t like?” I fish for an explanation. I want to hear her say she doesn’t want me.

  “No! No…no. It was good. I just think it muddied the waters a little. We could just say it was a fun Georgia thing and go back to how things were before.”

  I nod slowly. This is the worst idea I’ve ever heard. If she doesn’t want me and wants to be with this other guy, I wish she’d just come out and say it. I can feel my blood pressure rising and I have to remind myself that this isn’t about me. I need to give her space and let do what’s right for her. Who the fuck am I these days?!

  “Yeah, I agree. That makes perfect sense.” I raise my glass. “Here’s to finishing out the contract with no more fights.” I finish off my glass in one gulp and get up to grab something stronger. If this is how she wants to play it, then I’m going to need some Scotch to help my blue balls and broken heart.

  The next few weeks are fucking torture. Things between Samantha and me have actually been really great. We’ve settled into a routine of work schedules and a few outings here and there. It’s like she’s become one of my closest friends. The only difference is, I ashamedly beat off in the shower every night to thoughts of her. I’m not proud of it, but it keeps me from savagely punching a hole in the wall every time I see her.

  Her new idea is to have me teach her how to work out. I thought it was bad seeing her in regular clothes around the house! Now she’s squatting with her spandex-clad ass practically in my crotch and her full, perky tits bouncing in my face. Goddammit, I’m going to have a stroke!

  Tonight I’ve decided to sneak into the gym before she gets home from work. Hopefully, I can avoid being tortured for an hour. Just as I step onto the treadmill, however, she pokes her head around the corner.

  “Hey! I thought you were going to wait for me!”

  Fuuuuuuuck me!

  “I’m going to change; I’ll be right back.” I hear her scurry to her room and images of her shimmying into those skintight leggings pop into my head. I slam my hand down on the emergency stop of the treadmill. I’ve got about two minutes to formulate a plan before I lose my ever-loving mind.

  “Okay, okay, I can do this,” I say aloud to myself as I nod my head. If she wants to tease the hell out of me, then two can play at that game. I rip off my shirt and look at myself in the mirrored wall. I’m going to tease the shit out of her—give her a taste of her own medicine. Before she enters the room, I pull my shirt back on, deciding a slow tease will be better.

  Just then, she comes bounding back into the gym. Her luscious breasts and perky ass are on full display, covered by a barely-there stret
ch of fabric.

  “Why don’t you warm up on the treadmill for ten minutes?” I say as I start the belt and bump up the incline.

  I walk over the pull-up bar and make sure I’m facing her as I pound out several sets. I can see her trying not to watch me, but she’s failing. After several sets of pull-ups and curls, I lift my shirt to wipe the sweat from my brow. She’s messing around on her phone, but my movements catch her eye and she looks up just as I slowly pull my shirt over my head and toss it on the floor.

  I can see her lips part as her tongue darts out to wet them. She almost stumbles but quickly catches herself before the treadmill beeps and comes to a standstill.

  “Ready for some squats?” she says as she heads over to the squat rack. She thinks she’s being clever, but I’m on to her.

  “Yeah, I think it’s time we upped your weight. Go a little heavier.”

  “You sure? Last time was pretty heavy already.”

  “Yeah, absolutely. You’re getting stronger,” I say as I load up the bar. I want it heavy enough that she needs me right up against her to help her.

  She warms up with a few lighter reps then goes in for the heavy stuff. “Don’t worry, I’m right behind you.” I place my body just close enough so she can feel the heat radiating from my chest, then I place my hands on her hips.

  “Make sure you’re keeping the weight in your heels and really sticking your butt out on the way down, okay?” She nods her head and starts to lower her body.

  I can feel her struggling on the way up, so I press myself against her and bear some of the weight for her.

  “That’s way too heavy, Cameron. I don’t feel comfortable.”

  I tell her to try one more time, and when she does, I don’t step back before she lowers down—causing her ass to land squarely against my crotch. She quickly bolts upright and re-racks the weight.

  “See, I knew you had it in you!” I say, pretending I didn’t notice.

  “I don’t feel like working out tonight, actually. I think I’ll just take a long soak in the tub and give my muscles a break.”

  I’m disappointed, but I don’t let it show. Clearly, my plan is working. “Suit yourself.” I continue with my workout as she makes her way out of the gym.

  After we’ve both cleaned up, we’re standing around in the kitchen preparing something to eat. I take full advantage of opportunities to walk up behind her and help her reach a glass on the top shelf while I lightly press my body against hers or rest my hand on her hip or lower back as I move to step around her.

  I can see her frustration building until finally she snaps. “Stop it, Cameron!”

  I turn around slowly with a dumbfounded look on my face. “Stop what?”

  “I know what you’re doing! So just stop.” I step closer to her.

  “What am I doing, Samantha?” Her breathing becomes more rapid.

  “You’re trying to seduce me. You keep touching me. It’s not working, so give it up.” She steps back and hits the counter behind her.

  I can’t help but smile. It’s clearly working. I step forward until we’re mere inches apart and lower my mouth until I’m hovering above hers.

  “I’m not trying to seduce you, Samantha. If I were seducing you, you wouldn’t be able to resist.” Her lips part again and I can see her pulse at the base of her neck.

  Her eyes drop to my mouth and she’s fighting hard not to lean in and close the small distance between us. She fails. She presses her lips against mine as she raises her hand to wrap around the back of my neck, but before she can, I reach up and grab it while I pull away and break the kiss.

  “I thought we agreed we didn’t want to muddy the waters.” I make sure to use her exact phrase.

  She rolls her eyes and pushes past me. I know she’s upset and probably embarrassed that I turned her down, but I want her to need me. I want her so wrapped up in desiring me that she tells me what she wants without thinking about it first.

  Chapter 15

  Samantha

  I kick off the covers in exasperation. I can’t sleep and I know the reason why: Cameron. I can’t stop thinking about the way his body felt against mine earlier. Why the hell did I ever suggest we stop hooking up?

  I groan in frustration and decide a little self-satisfaction might do the trick. I reach into my nightstand and pull out my trusty vibrator. I close my eyes and images of his shirtless body pepper my thoughts. I place the vibrating head against my clit and gasp at the sensations that ripple through my body. It doesn’t take long before my breathing becomes rapid and shallow and I’m grabbing at the pillow behind me. I’m so close that my toes curl and a light sheen of sweat covers my body.

  “Would you like some help?” Cameron’s voice breaks my concentration and my eyes pop open. What the hell?

  I sit up and try to cover myself with my sheet as I look up and see him leaning against my doorframe. Did I really leave the door wide open?

  “What the fuck? Get out!” I toss a pillow at him but miss by a mile.

  He doesn’t say a word as he stalks toward me. He simply lifts my t-shirt and pulls my panties down, placing the still-vibrating toy against my clit. I gasp and fall back against my pillow again.

  I can hear him saying something to me, but I can’t make out what it is. I’m so close again—oh God, I’m right there! His voice becomes weirder and louder, almost like a wounded animal. I’m so confused, but I don’t want to stop. I’m just about to climax when I feel a thump on my chest and the crying noise wakes me.

  I sit up in a daze as Cocoa flies off my chest and runs to her food dish, crying.

  Oh my God, it was a dream? I put my pillow over my face and scream into it.

  I huff loudly and refill Cocoa’s bowl. I can’t sleep and now I’m so beyond sexually frustrated I’m about to climb the walls and yowl like my cat. I grab my empty water glass and head out to the kitchen. I drag my feet as I walk into the living room but stop when I see Cameron reclined in a chaise lounge facing the windows.

  I know I said we shouldn’t confuse the situation by sleeping with each other, but I can’t take it any longer. I want him. I need to feel his body against mine. I swallow a gulp of water and walk over to where’s reclining and stand beside him without a word. He doesn’t look up but reaches out and runs his hand up my bare leg.

  He knows why I’m down here and I’m guessing he can’t sleep for the same reason. Without a word, I set my glass on the table and place one leg to the left of the chair, and the other on the right, before lowering myself down to straddle him.

  He doesn’t hesitate. He runs one hand up my thigh and grips my ass as his other hand grips the back of my neck and brings my lips to his. No words are necessary in this moment. The kiss isn’t rushed or hard—it’s tender and passionate. His eyes are fixed on mine as he gently caresses my mouth with his own before slipping his tongue inside. My core clenches and I can feel my hips grinding against him, almost involuntarily.

  This feels different. It’s intense and heated, like we’re both taking our time and savoring each touch—each moment before it’s gone.

  His tongue continues to massage mine as his free hand skims up my body under my t-shirt and cups my breast. He runs his thumb across my hardened nipple and I gasp. I’ve never had a man elicit this kind of response from me with just a simple touch. I’m breathless, and I let my head fall back as his lips move down my jawline to my neck. He licks, sucks, and nibbles his way down until he lifts my shirt over my head and tosses it to the ground. I’m completely exposed to him.

  His assault on my body doesn’t stop. He continues to explore my breasts with his mouth, massaging one with his hand while he sucks on the other. His other hand moves to the apex of my thighs and begins to rub small circles on my clit with his thumb. I’m already so primed from my dream that I’m seconds away from exploding.

  I thrust my hips forward with his movements as he once again grabs the back of my neck. “Look at me,” he says in a whisper as my body moves closer
and closer to the edge. “You are so beautiful,” he says as he licks my bottom lip before placing a gentle kiss there. I place my hands on his shoulders and grip firmly as he slips a finger inside me. I’m done. I moan loudly as the orgasm takes over my body. I’m panting and my head begins to fall back, but he won’t let it.

  “Keep looking at me. I want to watch you.” His words make me even hotter, and I’m riding out the last waves of pleasure when he pulls his finger from me and brings it up to his mouth, licking off my juices.

  His cock is hard beneath me, and I reach down to stroke him through his boxers before I try to remove them completely. But before I can free him, he’s standing up and carrying me to his room. He doesn’t waste time as he lays me back on the bed and removes his boxers before crawling up me and centering himself at my entrance.

  I wince a little as he pushes himself inside me, but it isn’t long before we’re both moving in a rhythm of pleasure. He continues to kiss me as be thrusts himself into me over and over, causing me to moan. His eyes are locked on mine. He’s making love to me; this isn’t fucking.

  I can feel his movements growing more erratic as we both feel frantic. He kisses me like he’s never kissed me before. It’s like he’s trying to tell me something with his body.

  “I—I’m…” I pant as he pulls back and watches me fall apart again. I don’t even have to finish the sentence—it’s like he can read my body’s every movement. This time I don’t look away. Our gaze stays fixed as waves of pleasure rock my body, and it’s only seconds later that he says my name over and over as he spills himself inside me. His face is buried in the crook of my neck as he plants a soft kiss on it.

  We both lie still, wrapped up in each other without a word as we drift off to sleep. My eyes are finally so heavy I can no longer keep them open, and for a brief moment, I swear I hear him whisper “I love you,” but before I can say anything, I succumb to sleep.