“Listen, you don’t know me, or all of the many mistakes I’ve made. Believe me, there’s been plenty. Like the time I went skinny dipping at the lake with a girl and she left me there, taking my pants with her. She was pissed I’d kissed her best friend when she thought I liked her exclusively. I walked home in my wet boxers. My brothers have never, to this day, let me live it down.”
“It was nice of her to leave you with the boxers. I’m not sure I would have.” She bit her lower lip like she was trying to keep from laughing. “Okay. You’ve got my attention.”
“And then…there was the time I sneaked into my girlfriend’s bedroom and her father caught us. That time I had all my clothes on. Chased me down the street waving a bat. It’s a damn good thing I’m fast.”
“Poor Liam. Too sexy for your own good.” She wasn’t containing the laugh any longer.
He grinned and pulled out of Aunt Eileen’s driveway. “You think I’m sexy.”
“I didn’t say that. But obviously, a lot of women do. Or have.” She pulled her hair out of the bun, shook it out, and rolled down the window. “And okay, so do I.”
The evening had cooled noticeably, and a light breeze drifted through her window, ruffling her hair and carrying in the smells of summer. Sunshine and cut grass.
“That must have been really tough to admit.”
She snorted. “Why do you have so much fun teasing me?”
“Sorry. It’s just me and beautiful, sexy women. I get pretty stupid. I revert back to a sixteen-year-old.”
“You think I’m sexy and beautiful.”
“You have a mirror, don’t you?”
She didn’t seem to like that last statement, given how her body stiffened notably. He knew this because he’d been angling his thigh as close to hers as physically feasible without losing control of his truck.
“What? What did I say wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said, meaning everything.
“Tell me.”
“No.”
“If you won’t tell me, I’m not taking you home. I’ll just keep driving all night. I have a full tank of gas.”
She turned to him. “I think that’s called kidnapping in some states.”
“Nah, not if I’m taking you back. Eventually.”
“You are so weird, and I don’t know what to do with you.”
“I have a few ideas.” He waggled his eyebrows.
She leaned further out the window, angling her body away from him. So he kept driving further out into the country, away from the lights of the city and straight into the velvety night filled with stars. He appreciated nights like these, ones without a cloud in the sky. They made him miss Colorado and his beloved Rocky Mountains, where it seemed he was close enough to see straight into heaven. He pulled his truck over near an empty field.
She slid him a look. “You better not try to tell me something’s wrong with your truck.”
“Nope. I just want to show you something.”
“Oh, gee. I’ve never heard that one before.”
When he came around the passenger side to get Mallory, she didn’t ask any questions. She simply allowed him to take her hand and lead her to the bed of the truck, where he picked her up by the waist and set her on the tailgate. He climbed up next to her and took her hand in his. He liked this not-talking thing better. As long as she didn’t shut him out completely he could handle anything.
Look at you, fool, getting all hung up on a girl you just met.
Problem was this whole thing between them felt very real. He wasn’t pretending anymore. Crap. That was a problem, wasn’t it? Because he was leaving. Going back to Colorado. And no one had ever accused him of being particularly bright when it came to understanding women, but he had a feeling Mallory had a problem with temporary. She’d probably felt unimportant and insignificant for far too long.
Sounds of crickets played in surround sound around them. The harvest moon and carpet of stars gave him enough light to see her eyes. They were soft again, the way they’d been the day she’d brought him lunch. Now he felt like a jerk thinking she’d been doing that for show, when maybe it had come from the heart. She was trying to be a good fake girlfriend.
He pulled her into his arms, and look at that, she came willingly, her full head of sweet-smelling hair tickling his neck. “If you think this is great, you should see the Colorado night sky.”
“I love it here. I always wanted to see Napa Valley. My mom talked a lot about summers here when she was a child.”
“Is that why you came here?”
“Yes.” She didn’t speak for a beat. “And I was running. I wanted to start over.”
“We all need that sometimes.” He lightly stroked her back. “What about your family? Do they miss you back home?”
“It was just Mama and me for years. She was okay with me leaving once I told her what happened. I had a boyfriend, friends, a whole life before I moved here.” She took a deep breath. “He hit me hard enough to knock me to the ground. Once.”
He tensed in anger but there was a relief there, too. Knowing that Mallory at least thought enough of herself not to let it happen again. “That makes me want to kill the guy, but I like the ‘once’ part.”
“One of the reasons I left Texas was because I was afraid of my own thoughts. I plotted his untimely death many times in many different ways. Had he hit me again, I might be sitting on death row now.”
He chuckled in spite of the seriousness of the situation, because just as he’d seen that first day in the lingerie shop, Mallory was a spitfire.
And damn he loved a spitfire.
*
Sitting on the tailgate of his pick-up truck cuddling with Liam was probably the longest amount of time she’d spent in a man’s arms while fully clothed in a long time. But if he didn’t kiss her soon, she was going to self-combust into a thousand tiny pieces and float up to join the stars. She wanted this man so badly that there was no room for other thoughts. No room for slowing down and being cautious. Not with him. He was sweet but strong. It was possible, she realized, for a man to be both.
“Are you really not going back to the Army?”
He was quiet for a beat before he answered. “I almost signed up for another four years. That’s why I’m out here, you know. So I can get my head clear and make a good decision. It’s not an easy one to make.”
“If you can’t make the decision, let me make it for you. Don’t go back there. I want to think of you in Colorado. On a mountain.”
He grinned. “You want to think of me on a mountain?”
She wanted to think of him safe. Happy. “Won’t you be happy on a mountain?”
“Sometimes.”
She lifted her head from his chest to meet his eyes. Even in the moonlight, his warm eyes showed no judgment. She fixated on his lips. He didn’t take long to accept her invitation, and his mouth was on hers at last. She crawled in his lap to be closer. To be as close as two people could be. The kiss went wild quickly, his tongue sliding inside her as she opened for him, just as hot and wet as she’d imagined it would be.
So they were doing this.
Going further than required for two people pretending to be together. Her bones melted when he threaded his fingers through her hair, angling her head where he wanted it.
When they came up for air, he groaned. “That’s how you kiss a boyfriend.”
She smiled against his mouth and kissed him again and again, loving the way his tongue caressed hers. Insistent. Demanding. He was good. She wasn’t as experienced as some might think, but she’d kissed enough men to know that Liam should earn a gold medal in the event. Much more of this and all her bones would dissolve completely. Her hand crept under his shirt, and her fingers glided from the waistband of his jeans up to his hard pecs.
“Don’t do that,” he moaned. “I’m having a tough enough time keeping control. I don’t want to stop, but I also don’t want to get arrested for indecent exposure.”
“I’m sorry.” She presse
d her forehead against his. “You’re simply irresistible.”
“Right back at ya.” He brought up their joined hands to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “How strict are they about indecent exposure in these parts?”
“Pretty strict.”
“Right. Should we go now before you kill me?”
“We can go back to my place.”
The speed with which Liam got them both back in the truck and on the road was almost comical. Especially given that he’d driven so slowly getting to his Aunt Eileen’s that she had almost teased him about driving like grandma.
But it wasn’t quite as funny when the bright lights of a cruiser flashed behind them.
Liam groaned and slowed down to pull over. “I speed once a year and get caught every time.”
Riley Jacobs approached the driver’s side. Liam pulled papers out of the glove compartment and reached in his back pocket for his wallet. He was, in other words, ready to pay up. Mallory bit her lower lip and tried not to smile.
“Hey, good evening.” Riley said into the driver’s side window.
“Hey.” Liam nodded. “Missed you at dinner, dude.”
“Hi, Riley!” Mallory leaned across Liam. “How are you?”
“Good.” He nodded once in Liam’s direction.
Liam spoke with a tight smile. “I’m going to guess I don’t need to spell the family name for you when you write that ticket.”
“Do you know how fast you were going back there?” Riley hooked his thumb behind him.
Mallory laid her hand on Liam’s thigh. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I forgot I left the Tatas unlocked and once I remembered, Liam realized how important it was to get me back to town to lock up. I was worried we’d have a break-in.”
“That wouldn’t be good. Break-ins are a hell of a lot of paperwork.”
“And also, I’ve got Sophia’s gift all wrapped and ready for you to pick up tomorrow morning. I don’t want that to get stolen.”
Riley turned an interesting shade of crimson. “Oh yeah, that. I almost forgot.”
“Sure you did! But lucky for you I didn’t.” Mallory winked. “It’s all ready. The entire outfit. Merry Widow, fishnet—”
“Great!” Riley interrupted, and slapped the roof of the truck. “I’ll stop by to get it first thing in the morning. You two better get going and lock up the shop. Pronto.”
“Thanks so much.” She wiggled her fingers good-bye.
Liam wasted no time starting the truck up again, then turned to Mallory. “I have never been so turned on by a woman.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You just got me out of a ticket. In Mayberry. I have to believe they need the revenue.”
She straightened in her seat as Liam pulled back on the road. “Men are very funny when it comes to lingerie. I mean, they like it and they’re a little embarrassed about how much they like it.”
“Not this guy.” Liam pointed to himself. “Proud lingerie fan right here.”
“Yeah?”
“Bring it on. Bring on all of the lingerie.”
“Uh-huh,” she said with a smile. “Just take me home, and this time you can drive like a grandma.”
7
Once she and Liam were back at her house, she didn’t know what to do with him. Well, she knew what to do with him. But she’d never been this shy around a guy. He made her feel like a teenager again, home alone with her first crush. She busied herself by telling him she had to feed Sugar, who, after she’d eaten, lay on the floor in front of Liam showing off her lady bits.
“Interesting,” Liam said from the couch as he studied the hussy.
Then he crooked his finger at Mallory.
Hoo-boy. She kicked off her low-heeled nightmare pumps and met him at the couch, where he pulled her on to his lap.
“Yip! Yark!” Sugar said.
“That means stay away from my man,” Mallory interpreted.
“Ah, you understand her language.”
“She likes The Crown for all the bling. And somehow she’s got it in her head that you’re her man.”
“Sorry Sugar, I’m taken.” He kissed her neck, then tugged on her earlobe. “Do I get to see all the lingerie now?”
She sighed, losing her train of thought for a beat. “I’ve got quite a collection. We could be here all night.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
What was wrong with her? She had this hunk of man and she’d lost all her mojo. What timing. He rose from the couch and took her with him. She stood before him, feet firmly planted on the floor as his talented hands skimmed down bare arms and settled on her waist.
“Or I can go if that’s what you want.”
No, that wasn’t what she wanted either. Not at all. She squeezed his biceps. “You better not, Mr. Turlock.”
He grinned. “I don’t want to.”
She took his hand then and tugged him toward the bedroom because this was her house, and her choice. The truth was she’d never met a man like Liam Turlock, but not because of what he looked like on the outside. She’d dated good looking men before. Plenty of them. Athletes. Running backs. Quarter backs. But she’d never been with a real man. One who fought for his country and loved his friends and family. Who didn’t take the easy way out. Who would, and she was certain of this, never lay his hands on a woman except to bring pleasure. She shut her bedroom door. Her fingers trembled as she brought down the zipper of her dress. Her Liam-repellant. Hadn’t worked on him, or her. Wouldn’t work. Her feelings were too intense. He was too strong. Too sexy. Too much…everything.
He pulled his shirt off with one arm, then simply watched as her dress fell to the floor. “Damn.”
Underneath she wore a red satin demi cup bra with matching thong. She’d even coordinated her belly button ring with a red stone tonight. The lady in red. Because even though she’d had no plans to showcase her lingerie for him tonight, a lady never went anywhere without wearing her best.
“Is that for me?” he said, stepping close.
“For you.”
“I like it.” His teeth raked over his lower lip, and hands on her hips, pulled her in tight.
“And is that for me?” She slid a significant look at the bulge in his pants.
“You bet.”
Her fingers slid from his broad shoulders to his abs and felt his muscles there tighten in response. He took possession of her mouth again, his tongue hot, wild and demanding. She loved this. Loved the way he kissed her, like he could do it all day. He dropped to his knees. She drew in a sharp breath when that same hot, wet tongue took a tour. He licked from her bra line, down to her naval where he played with the jewelry and continued south. Very south. Much further south than Mallory had ever had a man go with his mouth.
He removed her panties and urged her to step out of them. Mallory figured they’d move to the bed, but that didn’t happen. Instead he stayed on his knees and suddenly those lips and that tongue went where no man had ever gone before. Oh, she’d heard about this before. Read it in Cosmo. Some of her Kappa Delta sisters swore it was the only way they’d have sex until they were married, so they could be virgins on their wedding night.
Mallory tried not to let her inexperience show, but she was getting a little worried here after a minute or so because she might be having a heart attack. Her heart was threatening to ram right out of her chest. Her breaths were little desperate spurts. Also, the moaning. It was getting loud in here. How embarrassing. Liam was going to think she’d never had sex before. And quite possibly, she never had. Holy beejebuz, these were her fingers in his hair, pulling like she’d make him bald. She tried to let go, but she wanted, needed to hang on to something because her knees were about to buckle.
As if he knew it, he palmed her ass, squeezing tight and holding her up. Holding her in place where she couldn’t possibly get away from him. She said his name over and over again, then words like “wait,” and “please” and “I’m going to.” And then a string o
f sounds that may or may not have been actual words. After that she couldn’t speak any more because her entire body shook and trembled and the delicious waves of pleasure crashed over her again and again. She wasn’t aware of whether she was still in her body, or if she really had combusted and floated up to the stars. Then Liam carried her to the bed and she wound up on her back among all her frilly pillows.
He gave her another easy smile, slowly stepping out of his pants and underwear. “You liked that.”
Yes, well, that was kind of a no-brainer but had he liked it? “Did I hurt you?”
“Hurt me?” He moved over her, dropped a kiss on her shoulder, and tugged a bra strap aside with his teeth.
She reached to stroke his beautiful head of dark brown hair. “I pulled your hair. I’m sorry.”
“I’m going to be just fine. I wasn’t paying a whole lot of attention to my hair.”
“You mean you liked…doing that?”
“I loved going down on you, babe. I can’t wait to do it again.”
That was going to happen again?
“Guess what I have.” He held up the Come Again condom with an easy smile.
She was never so happy to see Tatas swag. “Great. Hurry.”
But he was in no hurry, because he continued to kill her slowly by pushing up the cup of her bra and sucking and licking each nipple until she writhed under him. She reached between them, stroking his shaft again and again until he groaned. He was hard and big in her hand, and getting bigger. She wanted him inside her yesterday. Finally, finally he rolled on the condom and pushed inside her. It took her a minute to adjust to his size, but he moved slowly at first, each stroke measured and controlled. When she met his thrusts, he began to move inside her deeper and faster in a rhythm that worked. They were in perfect sync, and she’d never felt this way before. Never felt such intense pleasure radiating and pulsating through her body. It grew in a delicious tingle that radiated from her toes and traveled up between her thighs.
“Liam,” she moaned.
“I know, babe,” he said. “I know.”
She had no words but just moaned as her entire body gave in to him. She clung to his shoulders to stop her spinning world. Her body shuddered and bucked and this time the wave of pleasure went all the way to her heart.
THE STARLIGHT HILL COMPLETE COLLECTION: 1-8 Page 131
