He followed behind her, saying, “I’ll get the door for you.”
She let out a small sigh of disappointment, reached the door, and turned to him. Her goodnight kiss would likely be a peck, if he even gave her that much.
“Why’re you looking so disappointed?” he asked in a teasing voice as his warm hand slid under her hair and cupped the back of her neck.
“I’m not,” she lied.
He leaned down and nipped her neck. She jolted, letting out a small squeak of surprise.
He squeezed the nape of her neck. “I told you not to fake with me. Why’re you disappointed? You didn’t like dinner? Didn’t like the movie? Or is it because we never had dessert?” Clear innuendo. Obviously he was teasing her.
She clamped her mouth shut.
He kept his hold on her neck and lifted his other hand, his thumb tracing her lips. A soft brush across the top lip that made her lips part, another soft brush across the bottom before he pressed on it. Her lips tingled as he slowly leaned down and touched his lips to hers, a gentle kiss that left her longing for more.
He dropped his hold on her. They stared at each other for one tense moment. She was about to spontaneously combust with all the pent-up lust.
“Hailey.”
The words tumbled out. “I’m disappointed because I wanted dessert and you didn’t give it to me.” Please pick up on this metaphor of sexual longing. I simply cannot put myself out there for another rejection.
“I offered.”
“I wasn’t hungry then. I am now.” Metaphor, you dolt!
He cocked his head. “So if I feed you dessert, then you’ll call this a satisfying romantic date? The kind that sweeps you off your feet?”
“My feet are firmly on the ground.” She lifted her chin in challenge. “I have yet to be swept off my feet.”
A small smile played over his lips, his dark eyes gleaming. She held her breath as he lifted her purses from her shoulders and set them on the ground. She glanced down at Rose, who popped her head up and then settled back in her cozy dog purse.
Josh took her hand, pulling her away from the door, and finally swept her off her feet, literally, cradling her in his arms.
Chapter Thirteen
Excitement rippled through her as he carried her into his bedroom.
He set her on her feet, shutting the bedroom door behind her, his gaze dark and heated. “You trust me?”
“Uh…” She hadn’t expected the question. Trust was complicated by their history.
“You feel safe with me?”
“Yes.” She knew him as a protector for all of his younger siblings and more recently her, though she hadn’t asked him to.
He entwined their hands together, raising her arms overhead and pressing their joined hands against the door. “Good.” He spoke near her ear, his voice gravelly. “I need to be in control. No sudden moves on your part; never grab me from behind. I don’t want to hurt you, understand? Those are my triggers. Are you good with those conditions?”
Her heart ached for him. She knew he’d been in combat, but she hadn’t known how deeply it had scarred him. “Yes, I understand. Do you have to explain that to every woman you take to bed?”
He shifted to meet her eyes. “No. I take control and that’s it, but you’re different. I sense you might be more aggressive.”
She shook her head. “I’m not aggressive.”
“Yeah, well, I might bring that out in you.” He kissed her then, not roughly, a steady pressure, a coaxing as his lips slanted over hers, his body slowly pressing against her. She melted against him, relief at finally having him on board making her fully relax. His tongue thrust inside, igniting her, and the kiss turned wild. Her heart raced, blood rushing through her veins, desire soaking her. She’d never been so turned on in her life—his hard body pinned her against the door, his hands held hers captive, and his mouth devoured her.
He lowered her hands to her sides and then placed her hands on his waist. She held on, remembering his request for no sudden moves. His mouth shifted, kissing along her neck, nipping and soothing with his tongue. She tilted her head, giving him better access; alternating electric tingles and sharp sparks of pleasure coursed through her. His hands slid up her legs, grabbing the hem of her dress and hiking it up to her waist. Next thing she knew, he’d lifted her, fitting between her legs, grinding against her as he kissed her, one hand gripping her hair, the other banded behind her back. She moaned into his mouth, gripping his shoulders, throbbing and hot. Yes, yes, yes. She’d needed this for so long.
He broke the kiss suddenly, eyes hot on hers as his fingers slipped between them to slide under her thong and stroke her. Her hips jerked at his firm touch.
“Shh, relax,” he whispered, stroking her over and over.
She bucked wildly, and he pinned her still, one large hand on her hip, the other touching her intimately, his heated gaze locked on hers. She panted, the pressure building within her, powerful surges of pleasure rippling through her. She tried to hold back, wanting him with her. “Josh!”
“Don’t fight it,” he growled.
His teeth sank into her neck, and she exploded, pleasure radiating outward from her core all the way to her toes. She felt electric everywhere—her skin, her breasts, her sex. She collapsed against him, and then he was carrying her to his bed, pulling back the covers, and gently setting her down. She blinked lazily, suddenly realizing she was still dressed.
She sat up and worked her dress over her head, setting it on the nightstand.
Suddenly Josh was there, naked, kneeling next to her on the bed. She smiled goofily, feeling half-drunk. “Hello, you.”
He undid her bra and slid it off her. “Hello,” he returned warmly. His hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs stroking her nipples to peaks.
“I came so hard,” she said breathlessly.
He groaned and grabbed her by the hips, yanking her down the mattress. He slid her thong down and off and then spread her legs wide. Then he covered her with his body, his hands on either side of her head, his erection teasing her, sliding up and down.
She slid her fingers through his hair from his temple to the back of his neck in a slow easy touch, his hair thick and soft. “Do you have protection?”
“You didn’t see me put it on?”
“I was distracted by my dress. It’s tough to get off with that stretchy material.”
He bit her lower lip. “That dress has been tempting me all night, you witch.”
She smiled, her hands sliding to his shoulders and down the muscular lines of his back. “That was my plan.”
“Now we’re onto my plan.”
His lips met hers as he took her in one swift thrust. Her body tightened around him, still amped from before. He thrust deep, hard, fast, and her inner muscles clenched and unclenched around him. Pressure and ache and a building tension consumed her. Josh consumed her. His breath was harsh in her ear, his powerful body pounding into her, his masculine scent, his taste, all of him dominated her senses. She arched up to meet him and gasped, the pleasure intensifying. Chanting his name, her body bowed off the bed as another hard climax hit. He kept going, rocking her, and then he let go, shuddering against her, his body heavy on hers.
He held himself up over her a few moments later, held her by the jaw, and kissed her soundly. “How’s that for dessert?”
She laughed. “Best dessert I ever had.”
“Yeah?” He nuzzled into her neck before rolling to his back next to her. “I’m keeping you in my bed tonight.”
“I’d be pissed if you kicked me out.” She stared at the ceiling, floating in a happy bubble. She’d just had sex with Josh Campbell, her former nemesis. The man who fought with her, pushed all of her buttons to extreme angst levels, and now it had all changed. She felt closer to him than she’d ever thought possible. She wished she could freeze time and they’d always be just like this, relaxed and content, at peace. A small niggling of worry set in. What now? Would they stand a cha
nce as a couple after all their fighting? Could they keep the peace long-term? And what about the fact that his dad didn’t want Josh to be with her?
She didn’t want to ruin the moment, so she kept her worries to herself and sat up. “I’m going to the bathroom and then I’ll get Rose.”
“Please tell me she doesn’t sleep in your bed.”
She turned to look at him and then she couldn’t help but touch, her fingers roaming over his magnificent chest. She hadn’t gotten the full effect before. His skin was darker than hers by a few shades, defined pecs and abs, a smattering of dark chest hair. Her gaze dropped lower. He was thick, still hard, his legs muscled like an athlete. Beautiful masculine perfection. “No scars?”
He bent his knee, showing her the back of his upper thigh. “Stab wound. My back has a few too, burn, bullet, knife slice. The few times the unexpected came up on me from behind. I learned fast.”
She swallowed hard. “Are you okay?”
He straightened his leg. “I was lucky. The bullet and knife didn’t hit anything critical. Burn was fallout from an explosion.”
“Can I see?”
He sat up and she slowly moved behind him. The scars had healed well—a long slice by his side over his rib cage, a burn on his shoulder blade, and a puckered hole close to his other shoulder. She didn’t touch, remembering his warning about not touching him from behind. Instead she shifted back to his front and kissed him gently.
“I’m sorry for what you’ve been through,” she said.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re tough and strong, I know. I still wish you hadn’t been hurt.”
“When did you get so damn sweet?” he grumbled.
“When you finally left me satisfied.” She smiled cheekily and climbed out of bed.
He flopped onto his back. “No dogs in the bed.” She heard the crinkle of the condom wrapper, probably getting rid of it.
She headed for the door. “As soon as she sees me go out in the hallway, she’s going to want to follow me in. Have a heart.”
“Fine. Make a bed for her in the corner with a pillowcase or your purse or something. Better yet in the closet.”
She turned to him, her hand on the doorknob. “She’s going to beg to be picked up. Don’t worry, she hardly takes up any space.”
He stood, stalking toward her, looking rough and edgy and badass. A frisson of excitement shivered through her. He placed his palms on the door, caging her in with his body, his voice silky in her ear. “Let me put it this way. The second time will be slower, hotter, longer. That won’t work with a dog witness. Got it?”
“Yes,” she breathed.
He smiled. “Good.” He backed up and opened the door for her. She headed out on shaky legs and Rose darted past her into the bedroom. Oops.
When she returned to the bedroom, it was empty. A moment later, the door quietly shut and Josh held his finger up to his lips in a shushing gesture.
“Where’s Rose?” she whispered.
He tackled her, tossing her onto the bed. She squeaked in surprise and his mouth covered hers. She lost herself in his kiss as his hands roamed down her body. He shifted to her ear. “I gave Rose the steak bone. She’s eating that so I can eat you.”
She throbbed and let out a shuddering breath. That worked.
He smirked. “Now I know how to make you quiet.”
“Beast.”
He held her jaw and kissed her, deep and hot and wet. He shifted, levering himself down her body, leaving a trail of hot open-mouthed kisses, making her shiver. His tongue dipped into her navel as his big hands slid up her legs, pushing them wide apart. She stopped breathing.
A flick of his tongue and she jolted.
Then a kiss, just his lips—gentle, warm, and soft. Her lashes fluttered closed.
Another kiss with tongue. Magic. Electric. Her hips arched up to meet him. She sighed, her fingers sliding to his hair, holding him to her, floating in a warm Josh-induced haze, her body humming with pleasure, the gentleness shifting to raw and dirty in a slow slide that caught her by surprise. Breath ragged, her body wound tighter, her fingers clutching his hair, silently begging, Don’t stop, don’t stop. Sharp pleasure stole her breath as his lips and tongue and, oh God, his fingers got in on the action. She trembled, the pleasure so intense a scream caught in her throat, and then she broke violently, her body shuddering with it as he stayed with her through wave after wave of pleasure.
She collapsed, boneless, trying to catch her breath. Fuck, holy fuck. Best orgasm of my life. I will worship his mouth forever.
He climbed up her body and grinned. “Is that so?”
Crap. She must’ve said that out loud in her semi-coherent state. “Josh.” She had no words. She’d said too much already.
He kissed her. “You’re welcome.”
Once she regained the use of her limbs, she went to check on Rose. She had to take the bone away and clean her up. Then she made a bed for her with a towel in the corner of Josh’s bedroom.
She slid under the covers, and Josh hauled her against his side. She wasn’t used to sleeping with anyone but Liam, who wasn’t a cuddler. She rolled to her side, giving Josh her back. He tucked himself behind her, spooning her. Rose scrambled up the comforter by the foot of the bed. Hailey kept quiet about it, impressed with Rose’s climbing skills.
Sleep eluded her. She shifted to her back. Then she flipped the pillow over. Then she rolled to her side, facing him. He tucked her head under his chin. A few minutes later, she rolled back to her other side and scooted a little farther from him. She shifted the pillow again.
He squeezed her shoulder. “Comfortable?”
“Almost.”
“What’re you doing?”
She flipped the pillow again. “Looking for the cool spot on the pillow.”
“The cool spot?”
“Yes. I like the cool spot, but you heated everything up. I can’t find the cool spot.” This was so frustrating. All she wanted to do was go to sleep.
Josh rolled her to her back and then he was on top of her, stroking her hair back from her face. “As long as you’re in my bed, princess, I’ll be heating everything up.”
“I noticed. Maybe I’ll bring my own pillow…” She trailed off as he ground against her, waking her up again. “Oh.”
“Shh…don’t wake Rose.”
“Careful not to kick her. She’s by my feet.”
“What?” Josh rose to his knees and pointed at Rose. “Back to bed.”
Rose approached, tail wagging. Josh scooped her up and got out of bed with her, putting her on the towel in the corner. Then he must’ve thought better of it because he lifted her with the towel and left the bedroom with her.
Hailey stretched out, finally relaxing with so much space to herself. She was nearly asleep when the mattress creaked and Josh whispered, “I put the TV on so she’d hear voices and think she had company. I had to pet her for a while to settle her down. Now where were we?”
Her heart swelled with affection. Look at how well he took care of her fur baby! She opened her arms to him, and when he pressed his big hard body against her, she held on tight.
~ ~ ~
Josh sat on his bed, fully dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, waiting for Hailey to finish up with her shower. He’d showered while she’d slept, took care of Rose—taking her out and feeding her some steak he’d set aside for her for breakfast—and slipped the shoebox money into Hailey’s purse. So far, everything was going according to plan. Well, he hadn’t planned to sleep with her so soon, but he knew she wanted it bad, and he was done denying them both. It was worth it, oh, man, so worth it.
As soon as she was ready, he planned on making omelets with fresh herbs for breakfast. Cooking was his big selling point, the one thing most men couldn’t be bothered to learn and he excelled at.
Her phone lit up with a text on the nightstand. Phillip: How’s my favorite wedding planner? Winky-face emoticon.
Josh glared at the phone, immedi
ately on edge. The dude used emoticons like Josh’s little sister.
Another text from Phillip. You around? Need my Hailey fix.
He snatched the phone and turned it facedown on the nightstand. Hailey is mine. At least he hoped she was. Okay, take it easy. Just because Phillip sent a stupid flirty text didn’t mean Hailey reciprocated. He stared at the phone, seriously contemplating reading through their entire text message chain. More intel might help loosen the grip of jealousy. The phone was probably locked.
He blew out a breath. He’d asked Hailey before if she trusted him, but now he had to ask himself if he trusted her. Would she go behind his back with another guy?
He glanced toward the open bedroom doorway just as Hailey approached in nothing but his navy blue towel. Forget Phillip. He was the one alone with Hailey.
God, she was beautiful, even with no makeup and only a towel. Her long hair was up in a hair band, just a little damp, tendrils falling around her rosy cheeks and neck. He fought the urge to rip the towel off her. If he kept fucking her, she wouldn’t get the message that he had serious intentions.
His eyes went half-mast, hiding the lust there. “How you like the slow-burn courtship so far?” He wanted to remind her that was what he was going for.
She sat next to him, crossing her legs primly, all ladylike. “I don’t think we can technically call it a slow burn now that we had sex.”
“Does that bother you?”
“No.”
“You like it so far?” He’d done everything he could think of for the old-fashioned romance—flowers, dinner, and a gift for Rose. Damn, he should’ve gotten a gift for Hailey too. Well, he had gotten her that embarrassing book. Mad had better watch her back. She was long overdue for a prank. He suddenly realized Hailey was quiet, which meant she was thinking. Had he missed a step? He didn’t think she’d like candy. And he couldn’t afford jewelry. What else was there?
She turned to him. “Since you asked, it would be nice to have—” her hand fluttered in the air “—a little note or something that says you’re thinking of me. Something with romantic words.”
He stared at her. “I text. That’s the modern equivalent of a romantic note.” And she was getting that from him and the playboy prince. He shouldn’t have looked at her phone because now he was irritable. They’d finally connected, and he had to be careful not to screw it up. The far-reaching consequences of relationship disaster were never far from his mind, especially since he’d deliberately ignored his dad’s warning to keep his distance.
An Inconvenient Plan (Happy Endings Book Club, Book 10) Page 14
