by Lea Hart
“Are you done?”
“No, since I have at least twenty minutes of dialog stored in my brain. You may want to run while you can.”
He kissed her head and then shoved himself off the bench. “Never gonna run from you, so get that idea out of your head.”
She watched his mouth lift into a deadly smile that had surely incinerated panties and women’s objections and waved her hands. “Don’t waste that smile; go on and get us our food.”
Bending down, he kissed her cheek. “Can’t help myself since looking at your beautiful face makes me happy as shit.”
Was that cracking sound her defenses giving way?
Not wanting the answer, she turned her head slowly and brushed her mouth against his cheek. “I’m going to need my energy if I hope to do half the things I want to, so grab our food.”
“Yeah…”
“A girl needs to be fed before she can properly seduce a man. Everyone knows that.”
“Does that mean you’re ready to jump into the fire?”
“Thinking about it.”
“Anything I can do to help the process?”
“Not really.”
“Let me know if that changes.”
Brushing his silky brown hair across his brow, she raised an eyebrow. “Will do. But…”
“What?”
“All it can be is a fling. I’ve got a big dream I’m chasing, and there isn’t room for much distraction.”
“Noted.”
“Accepted?”
“For now,” he whispered before kissing her cheek again.
Their number was called over the loudspeaker again, and she pushed his chest. “Go.” Another smile and he was gone. Watching him walk away made her let out a low whistle. “Trouble with a capital T,” she muttered. His long-limbed saunter was nothing short of perfection, and it announced loudly to anyone in the vicinity that Seth McCallan was a force to be reckoned with.
“We’re in for a good one tonight,” Tessa said before she wiped her mouth.
“What’s that?”
“Sunset.” She pointed to the sun hanging low in the sky and grinned. “There’s just enough smog to paint the sky beautifully tonight.”
“Are you sure you’re ready to give up these beach sunsets for New York City?”
“As I’m ever going to be. It’s now or never, and I don’t want to be at the end of my life with questions. I want to give my acting a career one last big push before I decide to give it up once and for all.”
“I respect the hell out of that.”
Nodding, she pushed her empty plate away and did the impossible and kept her thoughts to herself. The last thing she wanted to do was to reveal her insecurity or the almost debilitating doubt that crowded her mind over her career choice. Better he see her as a kick-ass human for the few days they were spending together than the very flawed one she was on a regular basis. “Do you think we lost our tail for good?”
“I’m guessing he’s camped out near your place because, even if he figured out we were taking PCH, he has no way of knowing where we stopped.”
“If that’s the case, would you like to take a walk on the beach before we head back?”
Leaning in, he nodded. “I’d like nothing more.”
“Good,” she replied quietly as his hand cupped her jaw and his fingers pressed gently into her skin.
“Can’t wait,” he murmured, dropping his head.
The need in his voice loosened something in her chest as his lips met hers, making every stupid thing she’d ever read on the pages of a book a reality. Heat suffused her body, excitement ran along her nerves, and she softened in his embrace.
Surrender.
The kiss went from gentle to downright passionate in less than a minute as his breath warmed her cheeks and his low growl spurred her need.
So much trouble.
That’s what she was in and, instead of figuring a way out, she pulled him closer and opened her mouth, tangling their tongues together.
Bad decisions lay ahead and, instead of turning away, she ran right at them because who knew when one so delicious would come along again.
CHAPTER SIX
The view Seth enjoyed as he walked along the Malibu pier had nothing to do with the sun setting on the horizon and everything to do with the woman walking beside him. The chilly March breeze kicked up as they walked across the wooden planks, and he loved the fact that it made Tessa move closer.
Pulling her tighter into his embrace made him wonder if he’d cheated the grasp of the Grim Reaper so he could be here with her.
If so, he’d certainly count himself lucky.
And, not because the evening could very well end in mind-blowing sex, but because the small sliver of calm he was experiencing was fucking incredible.
He’d never managed much before, and it seemed that Tessa’s presence was changing that.
Why, he couldn’t say.
Maybe it was the feel of her soft curves pressed against his side or her happy chatter. Maybe it didn’t matter because whatever it was made the jagged edge of his nerves smooth out.
Stopping, he noticed a building off to the left that was lit up. “What’s that over there?”
“Malibu Inn.”
“Looks pretty inviting.”
“It should since it went through a remodel a couple of years ago. I hear the property is beautiful and supposedly the food is award-winning.”
“We should see if they have a room.”
“For what?” she sputtered.
“Us.”
“Why?”
“Because you deserve a side of romance with the seduction I’m about to lay on you, and I bet that hotel is going to help me manage it.”
“I don’t think the four walls of a hotel room are going to make much difference, but if you want to go have a drink and tell me sweet things, then I’d be game.”
“Let’s get a room because, after that drink, my control is going to be shot.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.” He pulled her tight against his chest. “I think the universe decided to school my ass by sending you my way.” Feeling her soften, he grinned. “I’m pretty sure it wanted to show me that I don’t know shit about what real danger feels like.”
Moving her arms around his waist, she looked up and pinned her tongue between her teeth. “You think I’m all that?”
“You’re a whole lot more, but unfortunately, I don’t have the words to describe what being hit with lightning feels like.” Watching her face flush and smile soften made him realize that telling the truth was the greatest seducer of all.
Tessa tightened her grip and moved closer. “I think you’re a romantic, Seth.”
“Really?” he asked, trying to hide his incredulity.
Nodding, she wiggled her hips. “Oh, yeah.”
“I just said what was on my mind.”
She pressed a kiss to his chest. “And that is the most romantic thing in the world.”
Feeling like he’d slayed a thousand dragons, he rested his chin on her head. “I may not totally suck at this romance thing, after all.”
“Definitely possible.”
“Since I’m on a roll, let’s go spend the night at the hotel so I can see about getting you addicted to my moves.”
“I wouldn’t hate it, but it’s kind of a splurge. Why don’t we just go back to my place?”
Stepping back, he held her arms. “If there was ever a woman to splurge on, it would be you.”
Swaying in his arms, she let out a swoon. “Stop, you’re making it impossible ever to deny you.”
Laughing, he took her hand and tugged her toward the entrance of the pier. “Now, you’ve given me no choice.”
“Meaning?”
“I’m going to rock your fucking world and take you like you deserve. By the time I’m done with you, I’ll own your body and possibly your mind.” He raked his eyes over her slowly and dug his teeth into his bottom lip. “If you’
ve got objections, tell me now because when we get in that room, all bets are off.” Expecting her to voice a million over his alpha bullshit, he was floored when she moved closer and ran her hand along his chest.
“And what happens when I end up owning you?”
“Shiiiit, what are you trying to do to me, woman?” Her fingers traveled slowly over his heart, and she smiled like the fucking Mona Lisa. Game point, he thought as he let himself enjoy her smile filled with promise. “Is there going to be anything left to bury when you’re done with me?”
“Probably not.”
“Fair enough,” he replied as he strode down the wooden planks, praying there’d be some remnant of his former self when he woke up in the morning.
Didn’t seem possible with the woman beside him, but if that’s how the good Lord wanted to take him, then he’d be more than fine with it.
***
Seth pulled Tessa into a room that had a wall of windows facing the ocean. Ignoring the moonlight bouncing off the waves, he locked the door and dumped the laughing woman in his arms onto the bed. “I know this is the part of the evening where I say sweet things, but I’ve got to tell you…my brain is blasted by lust and I may die if I can’t get inside you.”
Giggling, she held out her hand. “Come here then because I don’t want to have your death on my hands.”
“Thank fuck,” he growled, collapsing on the bed. He slid his hands onto her face and then moved in close. Running his stubble down her throat made her purr, and he immediately cataloged it, knowing he wouldn’t be satisfied until he knew every little thing that made her happy.
Sliding his tongue along the shell of her ear elicited a gasp, and he added it to the list, loving the way she responded to his touch. Then he moved his hand along her leg and did the thing he’d been thinking about all day and slowly ran his finger all the way up.
“Oh,” she murmured.
He teased the edge of her panties and then slide his finger inside, grinning when he discovered she was soaked. “Seems you might not be totally unaffected by me after all.”
“Seems so,” she replied moving closer to his touch.
“Good,” he growled. He dropped his head and kissed the corner of her mouth before nipping her bottom lip. Heart pounding like he was in the middle of a firefight, he kissed her fully as her fingers dug into his shirt.
His desire flamed and frayed the last bit of hold he had on his control. Grasping the back of her neck, he buried his fingers in her thick, soft hair and tilted her head, so he’d have unencumbered access.
Demanding and giving.
Grabby and voracious.
She was his match in every way, and he knew if she fucked liked she kissed, he was never letting go.
Sliding his fingers into her soaking wet panties, he grazed his finger along her slit and found her clit. Her body answered with a full tremor and a low moan. “Just a little something to take the edge off.”
“Promise?”
“With my whole heart,” he replied as her thighs tightened and she rode his hand. He worked a finger inside her tight heat and was rewarded with an almost immediate orgasm when he hit her G-spot.
Pressing his thumb against her clit, he let her ride it out until her limbs loosened as she fell against the bed. He watched her blink several times and loved the sweet smile that formed on her lips. “Nothing more beautiful than seeing you fall apart in my arms.”
“I can’t wait to make you fall apart,” she said quietly as she sat up. Lifting her hair over her shoulder, she twisted it into a curl and then pushed him over.
Surprised by the move, he fell back and rested his head against the pillows. “And how are you plannin’ on making that happen?”
Slowly sliding herself off the bed, she stood and tapped her finger against her mouth. “So many possibilities…”
“Fuck,” he murmured, seeing her sweetness fall away. There was fire in her eyes along with raw desire that suggested good things were coming his way. The woman looked like she knew what she wanted, and he planned on cooperating fully.
Licking his lips, he watched as one of her shoulders dropped, and her sweater slid off. Shimmying, she let it fall to the floor.
“You ready, Seth?”
“For what?”
“To let me take the wheel for a minute.”
“Is that a question, a warning, or a statement?”
“All of them,” she replied as she slid her shirt slowly over her head. Licking his lips, he leaned up on his elbows and admired her small, but well-defined breasts encased in white lace.
Heart beating like a son of a bitch, he watched the rest of her clothes come off. “Come here,” he said in a low dirty tone. “I need to run my mouth and hands over you until…”
“Sorry, no can do.”
She threw him a smile filled with pure sass and sin, then spun around and walked into the bathroom. “Get your ass back here, woman, and let me have my way.”
Stopping in the doorway, she looked over her shoulder. “Follow me, and I may make one or two of your fantasies come true.”
Transfixed by the sight of her ass, he was momentarily unable to move as his mind went offline. Hearing the water go on was enough to snap him out of it, and he jack-knifed off the bed and almost tripped as he got rid of his clothes.
Striding into the bathroom, he arrived in time to see her satisfied smile right before she stepped into the steamy shower. He followed her in and was about to gather her in his arms when she flipped the tables and pushed him against the wall.
Without breaking eye contact, she smiled and lowered herself, letting her nails run across his skin. Down she went until she knelt before him. Closing his eyes, he tilted his head up and thanked God for whatever was about to happen and then added a prayer for mercy.
Moving her hand to his aching cock, she slowly ran her fingers over the length in a move so deliberate it made his balls ache.
Fighting his instinct to pull her into his arms and bury himself as deep as he could, he gritted his teeth and knew the ferocity of her gaze meant she’d never have it.
“Come on, Seth…don’t wimp out on me now. I know you’re man enough to handle what I’m about to do.”
“I can handle you without a problem.”
“Your fisted hands are telling another tale.”
The grit in her tone told him she wasn’t playing, so he let his hands go and gave her a lazy grin. “Bring it, honey.”
“Plan on it,” she whispered before licking her lips.
Looking down, he watched her mouth open, and the rush of need was so great, he almost lost his balance. She pulled him into her mouth and stars flickered behind his eyes, and he told himself in no uncertain terms not to come in the first thirty seconds. How that was going to be possible, he didn’t know.
Stilling his body so he wouldn’t lose control and give her more than she was ready for, he took in a long breath. Her tongue slid over the crown while her hand pumped his shaft, and he’d never experienced anything so damn good in his life.
Why was her mouth the one to make him feel so incredible?
Why was her touch filled with magic?
Gritting his teeth, his balls drew up tight as she laved, nipped, and sucked him into oblivion. The pressure she managed was perfect, and it sent an almost debilitating need through his veins.
On and on it went until he was almost keening with pleasure. Canting his hips, he hit the back of her throat and almost blacked out when she swallowed him.
Not able to hold back, his body exploded, and he came.
Hard and fast…an unbelievable pleasure washed over him.
No doubt about it, she owned him.
Tapping out was the answer because there was going to be no way to survive this woman, and the sooner he accepted it, the better.
***
Tessa lay against the million-thread-count sheets and sighed with pleasure and contentment. Accepting a bottle of water from Seth, she smiled and reveled in
the control she’d managed over the beast.
His muscles, attitude, and overall bad-assness was no match for her, and the memory of his surrender was one she would play again and again.
“I hope you’re enjoying the little moment of victory because it’s about to be your turn.”
Moving her hair over her shoulder, she wiggled herself against the pillows and pulled the sheet higher. “Whatever do you mean?”
“You’re running a picture over in your mind that has you taking the big alpha down with your very naughty mouth, and I want you to know…”
“What?”
Flipping the sheet up, he let his eyes run over her body slowly. “One, I loved every minute of it, even though it was the first motherfucking time I ever let a woman take the lead. And two, it’s your turn, sweetie, and I hope you’re ready.”
Watching his big body crawl into bed, she swallowed loudly. “Is that so?”
“It sure the hell is,” he replied as he took the water bottle out of her hand.
“We’ll see,” she replied, giving him her best “queen of the world” smile. He fell into the bed and rolled on his back, and she couldn’t resist running her fingers over his chest. “I love the fact that you don’t manscape.”
“What the hell is manscaping?”
“Shaving, clipping, waxing. Basically, all the same torture women go through.”
“I need more words, Tessa, because I’m still not following you.”
Getting up on her knees, she swung her leg over and settled herself against his hips. “You have hair on your chest.”
“I’m a man and have hair all over.”
Licking her lips, she ran her fingers through the hair covering his chest and then followed the trail down his stomach. “A lot of men in LA shave it or have it waxed off.”
“And exactly how many have you seen?”
“Not many since getting a second date is harder than being admitted into Harvard.” Watching the laugh lines appear around his eyes, she moved closer. “Did I tell you that I like your face?”
“No, as a matter of fact, you didn’t.”
