by Elle Kennedy
When she finally crashed back to earth, her pulse racing, her knees wobbling, she saw Caleb looking at her, his expression a combination of satisfaction and awe. Slowly, he slid her bikini panties down her legs, leaving her completely naked. And he was completely dressed.
“Gosh, you’re such a tease. Are you going to take your clothes off sometime this century?” she grumbled, her core still throbbing from release.
Chuckling, Caleb reached for his collar, bunched the material between his fingers and yanked the shirt over his head. The sight of his bare chest sucked the remaining breath from her lungs. Smooth, tanned skin. Hard muscle and sleek sinew. A six-pack that made it extremely difficult not to drool…
“Better?” he taunted.
“Not yet.” Her gaze followed the thin line of dark hair that arrowed down to the waistband of his jeans. “Take those off.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “If you insist.”
Marley watched, mesmerized, as he tugged on the tab of his zipper. Her mouth went dry in anticipation. She couldn’t wait to see him. All of him. Big and naked and—okay, so big was definitely the right word. Her thighs clenched at the sight of the long, thick erection revealed after he shucked his pants and boxers.
Caleb Ford was by far the sexiest man she had ever seen. His body was lean and solid, with muscular thighs, a trim waist and broad shoulders. She focused again on the impressive cock jutting toward her and before she could stop herself, she knelt down, bent forward and swiped her tongue along his tip.
Caleb jerked, a deep groan rumbling in his powerful chest. Emboldened, she took another taste, this time a long, slow lick along his shaft. He was velvety soft and rock-hard at the same time, and his salty, masculine taste made her sigh with pleasure.
“Who’s the tease now?” he asked, one hand restlessly stroking her hair.
She looked up at him with a smile. “I’m not teasing. I’m exploring.” Swirling her tongue over the pearly bead of moisture at his tip, she reached out and cupped his balls with one hand, squeezing gently.
This time his groan held a note of desperation. His grip on her hair tightened. He thrust his hips, his cock seeking her mouth. As little flames of excitement licked at her skin, she took him in her mouth and sucked.
“Yes,” he hissed out. “That feels amazing.”
His encouraging words sparked her confidence, inspiring her to take him in deeper. She purred against his hot shaft. She could feel him shaking, could feel the tension in his muscles, the raw passion building in his loins. His cock pulsed beneath her tongue. It thrilled her, knowing she was the one bringing him pleasure, the one stoking all that passion.
Caleb guided her head with his hand, groaning as she drew him in and out of her mouth, as she swirled her tongue over the tip of his cock at each upstroke.
She was just finding a rhythm, alternating between sharp pumps and long, lazy licks, when he made a strangled sound and withdrew. “I need to be in you, Marley.”
He hauled her to her feet, nudging her so that she could sink down on the sofa. Then he faltered. “I didn’t bring anything,” he confessed.
“My purse,” she squeezed out. “In the hall.”
Nodding, he disappeared from the room, returning a moment later with her bag, which he handed to her instead of rifling through it himself. She found the plastic wrapper in the zippered pouch where she kept her mini first-aid kit. As a nurse, she was always prepared for everything.
Including, apparently, hot and impulsive living-room sex.
A hysterical laugh bubbled in the back of her throat as she hurriedly unwrapped the condom and handed it to Caleb.
He sheathed himself, looking at her with such longing and desire that she forgot how to breathe.
“Spread your legs wider for me,” he whispered.
She obeyed him without question, as if spreading her legs for this man was just another requirement for survival, like food, water, oxygen. Never breaking eye contact, Caleb stroked her tender folds with his thumb. He made a ragged sound in the back of his throat, his features taut with barely restrained lust.
Her thighs quivered. Parted even farther. Anticipation coiled inside her, but rather than sliding his thick erection where they both wanted it to be, he got to his knees first and pressed his mouth to her aching core.
When he captured her clit between his lips and suckled, she cried out, shocked to feel another spontaneous orgasm gathering in her belly. Ripples of pleasure danced along her skin, an unbearable fire of need building between her legs.
“I need you in me. Now.” Her voice came out hoarse.
Before she could blink, his mouth left her, and his body covered hers. He positioned himself between her legs, then murmured, “Are you sure about this?”
She almost laughed. Her legs were wide open, his cock was prodding against her soaking-wet sex, and he was asking if she was sure? She wanted to say no, that she’d changed her mind, just to see what he’d do, but she had a feeling he would respect anything she said. Despite the fact that every muscle in his chest was straining with tension and his pulse throbbed in his neck, she knew he would stop if she asked, no matter how much pain he’d be in later.
Good thing she wasn’t asking.
Gripping his strong chin with her hand, she pulled his mouth toward hers. “I’m more than sure,” she said, and then she kissed him.
His tongue plunged into her mouth, and a second later, his erection followed suit and plunged inside her. His thick cock filled her, stretching her in the most delicious way.
“You’re so damn tight,” he mumbled. “I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”
Her heart did a little somersault. “I’ll be fine.”
She slid her hands down his back and found it covered by a sheen of sweat. The sinewy muscles there flexed beneath her fingers, tightening as he moved inside her with long, gentle strokes.
“You’re holding back,” she said, half teasing, half accusing.
His blue eyes flickered with uncertainty. “I’m too big for you. Are you sure you’re okay?”
A laugh squeezed out of her throat. “Would you quit asking me if I’m sure about things? I’m dying here, Caleb.”
His voice was husky as he said, “Me, too.” Then he started to move. To really move. Marley let out a wild cry as he drove into her, his thrusts frantic. She curved her spine to take him in deeper, hooking her legs around his taut buttocks. The couch squeaked beneath them, cushions bouncing as Caleb pushed his cock in and out in a reckless pace that made her mind spin and her body throb.
Her breasts were crushed against him, nipples tingling as they brushed over the damp hairs on his chest. “You’re amazing,” he gasped, each word punctuated by the sharp thrusts of his hips.
She met his eyes, floored by the emotion she saw in them. He was looking at her as if she were the most beautiful creature on the planet, as if he couldn’t possibly believe she was his for the taking.
Yanking his head down with her hands, she kissed him deeply, whimpering against his lips when he reached to where they joined and rubbed her clit with his thumb.
“Come with me, Marley.”
He quickened his pace, filling her so deeply, so completely, it wasn’t difficult to lose herself in another orgasm. As his fingers toyed with her clit, Marley arched her hips and toppled over the edge. Shards of light flashed before her, and her mind fragmented as a dizzying rush of pleasure flooded her body. Moaning, Caleb buried his face in the crook of her neck and shuddered as he gave himself over to a climax she suspected was as powerful as hers. His breath heated her neck, his cock twitching inside as he let go.
Their bodies were sticky with sweat, their breath coming out in ragged gasps. Marley wasn’t sure which one of them started to laugh first, but they were both chuckling when Caleb finally lifted himself up on his elbows and brushed his lips over hers in a tender kiss.
“Wow,” she said with another laugh. “That was…wow.”
Amusement joined the rem
nants of release in his eyes. “Yeah,” he laughed. “You’re right.”
Looking reluctant, he slid out of her, his gaze roaming over her naked body. She noticed a rosy blush dotting her breasts and moisture still pooled between her legs. She was amazed to realize she could go again. All he needed to do was shove that wicked cock back inside her and she’d be ready for him.
As if reading her thoughts, Caleb’s shoulders squared in determination, and then he gripped her waist and hoisted her up to her feet. She squeaked in surprise. “What are you doing?”
“Carrying you upstairs.” True to his words, he cupped her ass with one hand and lifted her into his powerful arms, holding her there as though she weighed no more than a feather. “Come on, we need a bed.”
WHILE HIS HEART THUDDED against his ribs like a pair of fists, Caleb rolled off Marley’s body and sucked in a gulpful of air. His cock twitched against his belly, throbbing from its third release of the night. He was still as hard as a slab of marble, and when he glanced at Marley, the haze of desire in her brown eyes told him she was nowhere near sated, either.
Hands down, he’d just had the best sex of his life. Three times. He couldn’t think of any past encounter that even compared to what he’d experienced with Marley. The sheer thrill of sliding into her tight core. The body-numbing releases. He almost felt cheated. He’d always enjoyed sex, but this…this was sex to the max.
“Do you want to spend the night?” Marley murmured. “I don’t have to get up early tomorrow.” She moved closer and nestled her head in the crook of his neck.
Caleb ran his fingers through her sweat-dampened hair and stared up at the ceiling. The bedroom was dark—his doing, of course. He knew how transparent those damn curtains of hers were, and the last thing he wanted was AJ catching any glimpses of what he and Marley were doing.
The thought of AJ brought a rush of guilt so strong he nearly choked on it. Lord, what was he doing? The implications of what he’d done settled over him like a thick cloud of smog. He’d lied to her. He’d spied on her. Videotaped her.
Slept with her.
He’d always considered himself a man of honor, a man with principles, but he’d thrown honor right out the window when he’d succumbed to temptation.
He had to give her the truth. Shards of pain pierced his stomach at the thought. She trusted him, damn it. He saw that trust glimmering in her eyes like diamonds. How could he possibly tell her she’d been duped—again?
The confession burned in his chest, but he couldn’t reveal the truth now. She’d kick him out, and then who would be there to protect her if Grier showed up?
“Caleb?” Her voice cut through his thoughts. “Are you staying?”
He swallowed. “Yeah, I’ll stay.”
“Good, because I’m way too tired to walk you out.”
With a contented little sigh, she pulled the bedspread up and over the two of them. Then she slung one slender arm over his bare chest and gave another purr of pleasure.
“You realize you wore me out, right? I’m lucky I don’t have to work tomorrow or I’d probably doze off in the middle of removing a catheter,” she said with a sleepy laugh.
He continued stroking her hair, then stopped abruptly when he realized the gesture felt too damn right.
Okay, it was official. He was in deep, deep trouble here. Sleeping with Marley was one thing, but cuddling? Petting her? Whispering in the darkness? This was not good. In fact, all this non-sex stuff was far more dangerous than sex itself. It was relationship stuff. Commitment stuff. And he definitely didn’t do either of those.
He had tried making connections over the years. He’d latched on to his first few foster mothers, pathetically begging for their love, only to be carted off to another house within months. After that, he got smart. What was the point in opening yourself up to another person when they would only kick you aside sooner or later?
Smothering a sigh, he forced the memories from his head. “Did you always want to be a nurse?” he found himself asking.
She was silent for a moment. “No.”
Her response aroused his curiosity. “What did you want to be then?”
He gave an inward groan after he’d spoken. What was wrong with him? Why was he so fascinated by her? He couldn’t for the life of him remember ever asking the woman in his bed what she wanted to be when she grew up. He didn’t care about things like that. Didn’t care about anything but getting pleasure and giving it right back.
Until now. Now, he couldn’t seem to stop himself from wanting to know everything about this woman.
“I was accepted to the fine arts program at UCLA,” she confessed. “I’ve always loved art. Creating things.”
“I can tell,” he said, thinking about how passionately she’d thrown herself into making her house look beautiful. “So what happened?”
“My mom was admitted to the hospital.” Marley’s voice shook. “She was in so much pain. The cancer…it destroyed her inside and out, and I would sit by her side watching it, wishing I could do something to help her.”
She fell silent again. Caleb waited for her to continue, all the while trying to ignore the strange somersaults his heart was doing.
“I enrolled in nursing school the day after she died,” Marley finally said. “I couldn’t help my mom, but that way I could at least help other people.”
It suddenly became extremely hard to breathe. She had become a nurse because she hadn’t been able to help her mother in her dying hours. God, what a woman. Shame gripped his gut in a tight vise. And here he was, lying to her.
“How did your mom die?” Marley asked, her tone gentle.
“Overdose.” He’d been prepared to avoid the question, maybe even pretend to be asleep, so when that one word burst out of his mouth, he was overcome with shock. Why had he just told her that?
“And you were five?” she pressed, obviously remembering the meager details he’d provided.
“Yeah.” It became difficult to draw a breath. “I was watching TV in our bedroom—we only had one bedroom in the apartment—and I went out to the living room to ask about dinner and…she was just lying there on the carpet.” His chest went impossibly tight. “I remember shaking her, crying for her to wake up, but…she didn’t wake up. She was already dead.”
“Oh, Caleb,” Marley whispered. “That’s awful. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
He tried to shrug it off. “I got over it.”
There was a short silence, and then Marley released a small sigh. “I’m so sorry,” she said again, turning her head to press a tender kiss to his chest.
What was the matter with him? Why had he told her about his mother? He hadn’t even told Russ about that day, and Russ had been his best friend. His only friend.
He lay very still, trying to navigate the confusion clouding his brain. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He wasn’t supposed to sleep with her. To share his past with her.
Growing up, he’d been guided by a sense of justice, going into drug enforcement because it was the only way he knew to find some sort of vengeance for his mother’s death. He lived his life by a code of honor. There was a distinct line between right and wrong.
But Marley was blurring that line. His body ached at the feel of Marley snuggled up close to him. He listened to her breathing grow steady, felt her muscles loosen with slumber, and as he lay there beside her, he realized she was far more dangerous than he’d given her credit for.
8
MARLEY WOKE UP the next morning with a smile on her face and a naked man in her bed. Caleb was sound asleep beside her, lying on his stomach with one strong arm flung over her belly. Her smile widened. God, he was breathtaking. His stubble-covered cheek rested against the pillow, his dark hair messy and falling onto his proud forehead. And his face lost all of its hard edges in slumber. He looked peaceful, younger.
Trying not to wake him, she moved his arm and slid out of bed. Then she walked into the washroom, heading for the small show
er stall. A jolt of pain hit her big toe.
“Shoot,” she muttered, noticing that one of the tiles was loose. Good thing she was planning on retiling after she finished painting.
She opened the glass door of the shower stall, and as she turned the faucet and adjusted the temperature, she realized she was actually pretty sore. A slight ache between her legs, but one she was willing to overlook because last night had been totally worth it. She stepped into the shower and dunked her head under the hot spray, then turned to let the water slide down her body.
Her muscles sighed with relief as the water pounded against them. She was on her feet nearly every day of the week and did yoga regularly, but one night with the talented Caleb Ford had completely wiped her out. It had never been like that with anyone, not even Patrick.
The smile on her face faded as the memory of the last man she’d been with pushed its way into her head and the implication of what she’d done settled over her. Was she crazy? After what had happened with Patrick, she’d vowed to be more cautious, and yet she’d just slept with a man she’d known for less than a week.
She slowly lathered her skin with strawberry-scented body wash, forcing her mind to quit over analyzing. It was just sex. Really great sex. Wasn’t like she’d gotten engaged to the man.
Shutting off the faucet, she toweled off and left the bathroom, slipped into a pair of denim shorts and a red tank, and turned her attention to the man on the bed.
He was wide awake, and sporting a very familiar expression on his face.
The same shuttered stare he’d donned yesterday when he’d told her sleeping together wasn’t a good idea.
“I’m going to make some breakfast,” she announced. “Do you like pancakes?”
“I love them,” he said quietly.
