His eyes flew open at that.
“Wha?”
Her eyes narrowed, and he honestly couldn’t tell if she was teasing or not.
“I figured you for a generous lover, not the type to take your pleasure and leave the woman hanging.”
He gaped at her and then realization sank in. His jaw tightened. “Selfish, huh.”
She nodded. “Seeing as you’ve had your fun and here I am aching from head to toe.” She shrugged, that delicate little motion that made her naked breasts bob and the nipples quiver. He went tight all over again. “I don’t imagine it would take much. I’m so worked up that if you looked at me right I think I’d come.”
He looked down to see his dick straining upward again and then over to where his trunks were lying on the concrete by the pool. Hell.
She shifted and parted her thighs, giving him a glimpse of the pink flesh hidden by the dark curls. One tiny hand snaked downward, skittering across her belly then delving into her folds. She moaned and arched her hips as her fingertips rolled across her clit.
He swallowed then swallowed again. He found himself unable to tear his gaze from the glistening, plump flesh bared by her fingers.
“Are you going to make me do all the work?” she murmured.
“No,” he croaked. Hell no. He wanted to taste her so bad he was damn near licking his lips.
Sliding his hands up her slender legs and up the backs until he reached her sweet little ass, he gripped and kneaded the fleshy mounds before spreading her legs even further apart.
He lowered himself until he was the one with his knees digging into the hot concrete.
Nikki caught her breath as J.T. inched his way up her body until his mouth hovered over her hand. Her movements stilled and then gently, he pulled her fingers away from her pussy and rested them on her belly.
He moved his other hand between her legs and delved between the sensitive lips and brushed across her engorged clitoris.
She moaned and tilted her hips up to meet his touch. He was finally touching her. Her body tensed in anticipation, in absolute glee. She’d waited forever to have him between her legs, his body over hers.
His taste was still in her mouth, and she savored it. She licked her lips as she imagined his cock thrusting between her legs this time.
And then he licked her. A long, sensuous sweep with his tongue. She cried out as shock splintered through her abdomen. He drew a lazy circle with the tip around her clit then lapped harder at it, drawing it into a stiff, quivering peak.
She thrust her hands into his short hair, gripping him tightly, wanting more, wanting him never to let up.
“You taste so sweet,” he murmured against her damp flesh.
He slid one finger just inside her pussy as he sucked lightly at her clit. He eased back and forth, barely rimming her entrance with his fingertip, and then he pulled away and lowered his mouth to suck avidly at her opening.
A cry ripped from her mouth just her orgasm tore through her abdomen with painful ferocity. Her pelvis lifted and bucked but his hands cupped her ass, holding her tightly as he drank deeply from her.
Her fingers balled into tight fists at her sides, and she clenched her eyes shut as another cry erupted from her chest.
Long, warm slides of his tongue coaxed her down from her orgasm. Tiny little shivers continued to quake over her body, and her legs shook like jelly as he gently lowered her back to the lounger.
She opened her eyes and looked hungrily at him, but when he met her gaze, his eyes flickered, and he looked away.
Her heart sank. He couldn’t have broadcasted his regret more if he’d yelled it out loud.
She firmed her lips and tilted her chin upwards. No way he’d come around after one illicit encounter. She knew it and refused to feel disappointment over something she’d expected.
Without giving him opportunity to speak, react or shove the entire incident under the table, she swung her legs over the side of the lounger and pushed herself up.
Her bathing suit lay in a crumpled heap a few feet away, and she gathered it up, pulling the bottoms on before arranging the top around her breasts.
When she looked up, she saw J.T. staring at her, his mouth working to say something. She smiled and closed the distance between them.
She rose up on tiptoe and brushed her lips across his mouth. She pressed in closer, knowing he’d retreat. He stumbled back a few steps, and then she shoved at his chest. Already off balance, he tumbled backward into the pool, an expression of shock on his face.
He came up sputtering, a murderous gleam in his eye. Well, it sure beat regret and pity. She’d take his temper over rejection any day of the week.
“Have a nice swim,” she said sweetly. “I’ll see you around.”
She turned and strode to the patio doors, his furious shouts echoing in her ears. A tiny grin worked at the corners of her mouth. Off balance. He was best kept off balance and unsuspecting.
She just had to keep him that way.
Chapter Four
Two days. It had been two days since he’d seen Nikki. J.T. had steeled himself, sure that because of his temporary loss of sanity, she’d be even more determined.
Instead, he spent every moment in anticipation of her popping out of nowhere. Only to be utterly disappointed. He snorted. Disappointed? More like relieved.
He was edgy and ill-tempered, and his friends avoided him like a good case of crotch rot.
He missed her. It wasn’t something he wanted to admit, but she consumed his thoughts. She made him feel… He stopped his train of thoughts before they bordered on the ridiculous.
When Nikki had moved back, he could have listed a dozen reasons why getting involved with her was a bad idea. But at the moment, he was struggling to remember even one.
Then he remembered. She’d never settle here. Lucas was right about her being a free spirit. Why would she stay in a town that had done its best to crush that spirit? No, she wasn’t about home and hearth and commitment. Things at his age that he was seriously starting to consider. She was young and on the cusp of unfurling her wings. She’d fly and be beautiful doing it.
He wanted to touch her, her magic, wrap himself around her and lose himself in her vibrancy. He wanted her for himself. Selfishly, he wanted her to shine for him and only him.
J.T. leaned back in his chair and stared up at the stained ceiling. Rain. The air smelled of it. The slightly metallic smell of rain hitting hot pavement lingered in his nostrils. Wishful thinking. Not a drop had fallen. Yet.
And then he heard it. Big fat drops hitting the tin roof of the building. One, two, faster and heavier. It started light but quickly gained momentum. Hallelujah. He wanted to run outside and play like a kid. Thinking of Nikki did that to him. Made him feel young and silly with a bucketful of smiles.
He got up and walked over to the window. He pulled down the slats of the blinds with one finger and peered out. A short distance away, the sun still shone, a stark contrast to the dark, sullen clouds hanging just overhead. It would be a quick cloudburst, unfortunately, but it should cool things off by a few degrees even if it made the humidity more oppressive.
When he turned back toward his desk, his door burst open, and Nikki hurried in, dripping water all over his floor. She shut the door behind her and stood there, staring at him, her big blue eyes bright as her soaked hair clung to her cheeks.
A smile wavered around her lips as she stared at him. “I kinda forgot my umbrella.”
Before he could even offer a greeting, she walked to the center of the room and started shedding her clothes. Hell. He wouldn’t have put it past her to have ordered up a rainstorm just so she could walk in here wearing her clothes like a second skin.
Her shirt came off first and landed with a wet plop on the floor. She wasn’t wearing a bra.
“Nikki, stop,” he growled as he hurried over to retrieve her shirt. He wrung it out and tried to arrange it around her naked breasts. Anything so they wouldn’t tempt him
so goddamn much.
She shivered as the wet cloth hit her skin. He swore. How the hell could she be cold in this heat? But sure enough, goose bumps puckered her skin, making her delectable nipples strain outward.
He glanced around the room in near panic. No way was he going to have a naked woman in his office. Not only would it get his ass fired, but gossip would run through the town like a hog headed for slop.
Making a quick decision, he yanked open the buttons to his shirt and shrugged out of it. By the time he was done, she’d peeled her jeans off and stood completely nude in front of him.
He clenched his teeth and quickly wrapped his shirt around her shoulders. Okay, so it swallowed her, but that was good considering he couldn’t very well shuck his pants and give them to her. He was already dead meat if someone walked in.
Alarmed by that prospect, he started for the door.
“It’s already locked,” she said huskily, a thread of amusement in her voice.
He frowned. Of course the little minx would have thought of that.
“Nikki, you have to go home. I’m working.”
One dark eyebrow rose, and a hint of laughter sparkled in her eyes. “Yes, I can see how busy you are. Want to go play in the rain with me?”
Damn if he wasn’t tempted. Then he shook off that insanity and frowned, hoping she’d get the message and hoping she wouldn’t, all in the same thought.
Instead she sashayed up to him, his shirt hanging loosely around her. The lapels parted and her breasts peeked out, her nipples playing an erotic game of hide and seek.
She reached for his hand and pulled it upward. His palm grazed one breast, and she stopped, forcing him to cup the plump mound.
“Touch me,” she whispered.
Her skin was so soft. Baby fine.
He yanked his hand away. Baby. Of course it was baby soft because next to him, she was a freaking infant.
Undeterred, she dug her fingers into the waistband of his pants and tugged at the fly. It came undone and she reached in, her hand curling around his dick.
“Nikki, honey, you have to stop this.” He gripped her hand and pulled it away, holding it as far away from his body as he could. “Go home. We can’t do this.”
Again she raised one delicate eyebrow. “Oh, but we can, J.T. Who’s going to stop us? Your door is locked. No one in their right mind is out in this rain. Except me,” she added with a laugh.
She reached for him with her other hand and managed to shove his pants down over his hips. His cock sprang out, desperate for her touch, and she didn’t disappoint.
Her fingers brushed over the head then closed around the base. He damn near came in her hand.
What was it about this woman that drove him stark raving mad? All she had to do was touch him, and he lost any and all control. He prided himself on his discipline, on his ability to not cave to his desires. But damn it, this woman made him throw caution to the wind.
Again she fell to her knees in front of him, and her mouth closed hot around his cock. Fire consumed him. Hot, edgy, painful. But so damn good. So. Damn. Good.
He yanked her to her feet. “Not today, honey. No kneeling for you. I’ve had about enough of that fake submissive shit.”
She laughed, her eyes gleaming as he picked her up and backed her to the desk. He laid her out like a feast, all spread out for him. And damn if he wasn’t starving.
“There’s a condom in my pants pocket,” she said huskily.
His lips thinned as he stared ferociously at her. “I think I can take care of the damn protection.” He yanked open his desk drawer, rummaged around then pulled out a condom.
“Why, J.T., one would think you’d been expecting me,” she teased.
A dull flush heated its way up his neck. How could she know he’d just bought them? Hell, he didn’t even know why he’d bought the damn things. He hadn’t had sex in a year, and he certainly never kept rubbers in his desk drawer. Only after she’d come to town with her sexy-as-sin walk and those pouting lips.
Ignoring her smirk, he lowered his head to her breasts, but she placed her palms over his cheeks and forced him higher until their lips hovered precariously close.
“Kiss me,” she whispered. “Me. Not my breasts.”
Her lips were plump and so tempting. He knew he’d be lost if he tasted her. Completely and utterly lost.
She didn’t give him a choice. Her head came off the desk, and she fused her lips to his. Hot. Intoxicating and so damn sweet.
Her tongue fluttered over his lips, and without thinking, he parted them, allowing her entrance. Soft and inquisitive, she delved into his mouth, brushing across his tongue, leaving her taste.
He curved his hand behind her neck, thrusting his fingers into her thick hair. He took control of the kiss and swallowed her moan of pleasure. He wanted all of her. She belonged to him.
That thought sent alarm bells clanging in all directions. She wasn’t his. What he was doing was wrong. But she felt so incredibly right. And he wanted her. Wanted her so damn bad he couldn’t breathe around her. Would it be so bad to exist in the moment and pretend she could be his, even if for only a little while?
And then she shifted and wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer to her. She whispered into his mouth, and it took a moment to understand what she’d said.
“Love me, J.T. Please love me.”
Her words tugged at him. Such a simple plea and yet so heartfelt. Could he make love to her and then let her go?
He tore himself from her mouth and slid his lips down the side of her jaw, to the tender skin of her neck. He inhaled her sweet scent as he nibbled his way over her shoulder toward her breasts.
She squirmed and twisted underneath him, and he smiled as he sucked one taut nipple into his mouth. He suckled lightly for a while, teasing and nipping at one breast before he lazily turned his attention to the other.
Her muscles shook and spasmed, and her breaths came heavy. After sucking tenderly for several seconds, he sank his teeth into the firm point. She cried out and arched off his desk.
“Shhhh, honey,” he murmured. “We have to be quiet.”
She whimpered and ran her hands frantically over his shoulders.
“Take me, J.T. Make me yours,” she begged.
He closed his eyes as his dick tightened painfully. She was so fucking responsive. All he had to do was touch her. Making love to a woman who was so tuned into him was a power trip like he’d never experienced. He felt invincible.
His mouth slid down her body, her exquisite, oh-so-tempting body. Her belly ring quivered as his tongue traced a line around it. Pretty and delicate like her. Feminine. He liked it. Even the pink streak was growing on him in a big way. Somehow it just fit.
He kissed a line to her pussy, enjoying the feel of her against his mouth. She smelled as good as she tasted, and he knew he’d never get enough of her.
Reaching underneath her knees, he hooked his arms and pulled her ass to the edge of the desk. She lined up perfectly with his cock, and he was dying to get inside her.
He fumbled with the condom wrapper, suddenly clumsy and inept. His fingers shook as he rolled the latex over his penis. But still, he held back.
Bending to one knee, he parted the damp folds of her pussy and pressed his mouth to her center. She jerked and quivered as he licked and tasted her. She was ready for him.
Rising back up, he pulled her legs wider apart then positioned himself at her entrance. His thumb found her clitoris, so taut and rigid. As he began to gently manipulate the sensitive bundle, he thrust inside her.
She gasped and went rigid around him. Her body reacted, and her muscles seemed to protest and spasm. Her hands flew up to grip his upper arms, and her eyes were wide.
He frowned and cursed under his breath. He’d gone too fast.
“Did I hurt you, honey?” he asked in concern. “I’m so damn sorry.”
She shook her head vehemently. “No, don’t stop. God, it feels so good, J.T. Lov
e me please,” she begged.
There wasn’t a man alive who could refuse a plea like that. He slowly withdrew then plunged forward again.
She writhed underneath him, and she wrapped her legs around him, pulling him tighter against her.
He sank into her welcoming heat, and with each thrust, he felt like he was losing more of himself. It wasn’t just physical. He wished to hell it was. He wanted it to be lust, because then when she was ready to go he could let her without regret or a sense of loss. But as he moved deeper into her body, he felt the pull in his chest. Right where his heart lay.
Then he looked into her eyes. There was want and need there. They shone with something, something he couldn’t quite describe, yet it instilled such an ache within him. Did she feel it too?
Her movements became more frantic, and her eyes widened. He knew she was close, and he was determined that she go first. He reached down, finding her clitoris. With a gentle touch, he strummed at it as he slid forward again.
Her mouth opened, and he knew if he didn’t cover it, she was going to let out one hell of a scream. He almost didn’t make it in time. As he clamped his hand over her mouth, his other hand still plucking at her clit, she let out a hoarse yell. Her pussy convulsed around him, sucking him wetly as she orgasmed.
He closed his eyes and ground his teeth together. Oh holy hell, this was big. Shit. Every ounce of blood in his body raced to his cock, swelling outward. Pressure. God, the pressure.
The condom felt like a vise around his cock. He wanted to rip it off to alleviate the tightness. Harder he thrust. Frantically he pounded against her willing body until finally the unbearable pressure blew.
He exploded inside her, the head of his cock damn near blowing off with the force of his orgasm. Mindlessly, he rocked against her, never wanting the feeling to end.
Nikki sucked in her breath as J.T.’s hand slid from her mouth. She wanted to cry out, to scream, but she bit her lip to keep silent. Never had she felt anything to equal their coming together. It was everything she’d dreamed it would be.
She glanced up at J.T. who gently slid out of her body. Their eyes met, and what she saw in his made her heart fall. Regret. Guilt. Everything but the loving acceptance she’d hoped to find.
“J.T.,” she said softly as she struggled to sit up on the desk.
He took her hand and helped her up, but he wouldn’t look at her.
“I’ll get your clothes,” he said in a low voice.
“J.T., look at me,” she pleaded.
He finally turned his head, and she saw the regret simmering in his dark eyes. But there was something else. Sadness? The pupils were dilated, overtaking the brown orbs and painting his eyes black.
“I’m not going to insult you by offering excuses, Nikki. It shouldn’t have happened, but I wanted it. I knew exactly what I was doing. But make no mistake. It can’t happen again.”
“Why?” she demanded. She pressed in close to him, uncaring of the fact she was still naked. Her pussy was still throbbing from her orgasm, and she wanted nothing more than for him to take her in his arms.
“I’m not having a fling with you, Nikki,” he gritted out.
She tensed and tried to keep her anger and frustration at bay. “Who says it has to be a fling? Why can’t we have sex? We’re two adults, J.T. I’m not a child.”
“Maybe I’m not into casual sex,” he said calmly. “Maybe I’m at an age where I’m ready to settle down and find something more than a quick fuck.”
She flinched and stepped back. “Quick fuck,” she said in a low voice. “Is that what I am, J.T.?” She couldn’t keep the pain from her voice. She wasn’t the woman he wanted to settle with. “I’m good for a blowjob and an easy lay, but not good enough for more.” Bitterness crept in. Invaded and slid over her with agonizing speed. Some things never changed in Barley. She’d been a fool to come back.
“That’s not what I said, Nikki,” he said patiently.
“You didn’t have to say it,” she whispered.
She yanked on her wet clothes, not caring how they looked. Without a backward glance at him, she unlocked his door and strode out to where her car was parked.