"Will Robert be okay alone out there?" he asked.
"Yes, he sleeps in the living room."
"Good." He kicked the door closed with his foot, unknotted his tie, and slid it from around his neck. The fluttering of red silk caught her attention as his tie slipped to the floor. He watched her face and his eyes darkened. "You like that? Maybe I'll bind you with my tie. Keep you open to anything I want to do to you."
Oh, she knew about kink and spanking and secret games played by adventurous couples. She just never thought she was in the same field, but the idea of Stone tying her up turned her on to such an extent, she didn't know what to do. He laughed low as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. "Ah, little one, we're going to have so much fun together." He shrugged out of his jacket, flicked open the buttons on his shirt, and closed the distance. "But not tonight. Right now, I need you to take away this brutal urge I have to mark you in every way." He tugged her close, so her naked breasts pressed against the hair on his chest and her nipples hardened. "Open your mouth and kiss me."
She parted her lips. He ducked his head.
It wasn't a kiss as much as a possession. His tongue drove forth with no teasing foreplay, just a carnal hunger that held no politeness or civility, just as he had warned. She clung to him, taking every swipe of his tongue and demanding more, drinking in the spicy male essence that beat from his core, drunk on everything he could give her. Arilyn moaned and rose up on tiptoe, lost in his kiss, surrendering not only to the embrace but also to the night stretching before them in all its wild glory.
He wasn't gentle. His teeth bruised, nipped. His hand tangled in her long hair and tugged hard, the prickling at her scalp reminding her he owned her for his pleasure. With his other hand, he stroked her breast, plumping, his thumb flicking back and forth over her sensitive nipple until it peaked and lengthened, shooting sparks of arousal to her core. Her body melted in happy confusion, so many sensations building inside, until her clit throbbed for attention and she grew wet and swollen.
As she scissored her thighs to achieve the needed pressure she craved, he broke the kiss, laughing low against her mouth. "My greedy girl, you're so sweet. I've been dreaming of how you'll taste and I refuse to be rushed." He hoisted her up and walked to the bed, laying her down on the mattress. "This is what I dreamed of, you spread out for me, skin flushed, eyes soft and needy. So fucking beautiful."
"Take off your clothes," she demanded, her voice husky.
He obeyed, quickly removing his shirt and pants, shucking off his shoes with expert ease. He stood by the bed, letting her study him the same way he'd studied her. Arilyn propped herself up on her elbows, taking in every last mouthwatering inch of him.
Dear God, she'd never seen a man built quite like Stone Petty. From his rock-hard muscles, to his impressive stature, to the huge erection pulsing between his legs, he was larger-than-life. Larger than any man she'd ever seen. For an instant, worry seized her, wondering how he'd possibly fit with his wide girth, but then he grasped her ankles and she stopped thinking.
Slowly, he pulled her thighs apart. Wide. Wider. The cool air rushed over her pussy and contrasted with the burning heat tearing her apart. He licked his lips and leaned over the bed, his shoulders keeping her legs spread wide, trapping her deep in the mattress. His palms slid up her trembling belly and stroked lightly, peppering her skin with goose bumps. The amazing sensations of cold and hot, hard and soft assailed her. Another moan tore from her lips.
He looked up from her body and slowly smiled. "Now let's see how many times you call me 'Officer.'"
He dipped his head.
Sanity was ripped away from her inch by ragged inch. He was the devil himself, with his wicked tongue and lips and teasing strokes. He settled in and refused to be rushed, even with the urgent lifting of her hips, grinding against his mouth with no shame, only the need for release. Those soft lips sucked at her clit with just enough pressure to turn her on but not get her off. His tongue rubbed and licked down her slit, over her labia, making hungry noises that buzzed vibrations through her body.
Oh, she begged. Every inch of her ached and burned, her muscles straining for what only he could give her.
"Please, Stone, I need to--oh, God, please."
He circled her aching, hard clit with the tip of his tongue, then massaged it with his thumb. Pinpricks of light marred her vision. She'd never been so desperate to come in her life, until she finally understood the darkness in sex, the ultimate, encompassing need to do anything for the orgasm being held from her.
"You're so wet. So hot. You're coming apart right underneath me, little one. Your responses are perfect. Ask me again."
"Stone, please let me come!"
"Yes, baby, now, against my mouth, give it all to me." Curling his finger, he plunged inside her tight channel while his tongue increased the pressure on her clit, licking harder and harder and then--
She screamed. She cried. She yelled. The orgasm hit her like a train wreck, squeezing every muscle in her body with an agony of pleasure, all she could do was shake beneath him and surrender. He never stopped, his tongue and teeth nibbling and licking her right up to another orgasm, letting her free-fall in space.
Arilyn fell back into the mattress, giving herself over to him. She watched from heavy-lidded eyes as he donned a condom, paused before her dripping center, and began to fill her inch by slow inch.
Her body reawoke. The delicious friction and pressure as he invaded and took over her body was too much. She flung her head back and forth against the pillow, moaning, not even sure if she was fighting him or urging him closer. His fingers entwined with hers, holding her hands trapped against each side of her head, not stopping until he was buried balls-deep within her. Arilyn blinked up at his face: teeth clenched, sweat dripping from his brow, his gaze pinning her as helplessly as his body.
"Too big," she gasped. "Can't."
"You can. Fuck, you're so tight, little one." He moved an inch, going even deeper, until she felt split apart. Slowly he rocked back and forth as she opened up further, every muscle in her body squeezing him. "You fit perfectly. Holy shit, you're coming again, Arilyn, I can feel it. Let go, baby, give it to me."
"Too much--I can't--oh!" And then he pulled back out and slammed inside of her so fast and so deep and so hard, she climaxed again, surrendering to the brutal, aching pleasure that almost bordered on pain.
She rode out the climax, whimpering deep in her throat, and hung on as he pounded inside her body with all the rough violence and lust she craved, until he shouted her name, giving her his orgasm, never pausing until there was nothing left of either of them.
Somehow, he managed to roll over so he wasn't crushing her. He spooned against her, his arms slipping around her stomach, keeping her close, his lips buried in the crook of her neck. Surrounded by his warmth and delicious smell, she relaxed completely in his embrace.
"What did you do to me?" he whispered in her ear.
She managed to rouse herself enough to answer his question with one of her own. "What did you do to me?"
Arilyn knew they spoke of something bigger than the sex, but she couldn't wrap her mind around it. She did the only thing left.
She lost consciousness.
STONE STARED INTO THE darkness, listening to her steady breathing.
Well, wasn't he completely screwed? In a good way. And in a very, very bad way.
He knew exactly what he expected from fucking Arilyn Meadows. Oh, definitely orgasms. Pleasure. Some ups and downs, since they were so different and annoyed the crap out of each other. A few laughs. Then a clean pathway back to the single life, with a clear conscience.
Now?
Not so much.
Stone tried to figure it out. What had happened? Yes, she called to him on a level he'd never experienced before. The physical connection overwhelmed him, but when he slid deep inside her body, felt her core clenching him with those silky muscles, he wasn't just thinking about her sweet pussy. No, instead
he became entranced by the open vulnerability in her grass-green eyes. The way her mouth opened in a breathy gasp, and that look of wonder on her face when he surged inside her, making him feel like Spider-Man and Superman and fucking Thor all rolled up into one holy mix of hotness. The sting of her nails digging into his shoulders, and the way her body fit perfectly to his, like they belonged together. But the worst? Oh, God, the worst part of all scared the living bejesus out of him.
It was the feeling of peace and homecoming when they were connected. As if they were meant for each other.
Stone closed his eyes and tried to take those deep yoga breaths she had taught him. He fought the need to run for the exit and never return. This mix of emotions was brand-new and more threatening than the Headless Horseman on Halloween. He was in it for the sex, Stone reminded himself. It had been a long time. Of course, she looked at him like he was a hero. She'd been stuck with a dickhead for five long years and she was hungry for connection. By morning, they'd both be over the strange feelings.
That had to be it. Right?
The alternative was not allowed.
He tried to ease into sleep for a well-needed nap, but even though he'd just had the best climax of his life, he wanted her again. She stirred, mumbling into the pillow, and the scent of musky sex and coconut body lotion flooded his nostrils. Her body was magnificent, but even more so was her pride and grace in the way she carried herself. As if she realized on her own that she was enough. That kind of confidence was sexy as hell, and he couldn't wait to have more of her.
Stone stroked her creamy white skin, tracing the scattering of freckles in a sensual game of connect the dots. His thumb traveled up to the sweet curve of her breast, over her nipple, which stiffened up to meet him, practically begging for his tongue.
Stone didn't fight it. Leaning over, he sighed and tongued her nipple, nibbling, until she woke with a moan spilling from her lips. He smiled and didn't lose his pace. She rolled over and offered herself up to him with an open surrender that made him grow back to rock-hard status. Twining her fingers behind his neck, she arched up, asking for more.
He moved slower this time, being more thorough as he tasted every inch of her. The sensitive curve of her hip, behind her knee, the part where neck met shoulder. As if she knew this time was different, she didn't push the pace but met him stroke for stroke. Her hands fisted him and rubbed up and down his dick in slow, silky movements that had precum spilling onto her fingers. She rubbed the tip, and kept her grip strong and tight, bringing him right to the edge in a matter of moments.
They fell back into each other like a poem in which each stanza eased into the next. The stroke of her hand, the slide of her tongue, the warmth of her breath, the lilting sound of his name on her lips. It was as if they'd spent an eternity waiting for each other rather than engaging in one night of carnal sex. Stone fought hard, but when she climbed on top of him and took him deep inside, he almost sighed. The heat grew to blistering proportions, yet she rode him at a slow, intense pace, building up to the rhythm that would allow them both to shatter together.
She cried out. Her body arched, thrusting her small breasts high in the air, red hair streaming down her back. He watched every precious moment, taking it in, and then she collapsed forward onto his chest with him still inside her.
Stone's second orgasm was even more intense than the first, as if the Fates mocked his plan and were having a joke at both of their expenses. This was the crap they spoke of in chick flick movies and Jane Austen novels. The garbage they spewed when sex and lust mixed with love and commitment. He didn't believe in any of it; yet, as his balls tightened up and he exploded, releasing his seed, a possessive ferociousness claimed him, driving him to take her again and remind her she belonged to him.
Mine, his mind screamed. She's mine.
Shut up. This is about sex.
The voice fell quiet. Panting, trying to gather his sanity, he fell back to the bed with her still cuddled against his chest. Time ticked by. They lay quietly in the dark. He waited for her to ask him her endless questions that he couldn't answer.
But she didn't speak.
And once again, her breathing deepened and she slept.
Stone lay awake for a long time, wondering what he was going to do.
sixteen
STONE! WAKE UP!"
"Five more minutes," he groaned, rolling away. His body was shaken harder than a bad eighties Polaroid picture, causing him to open one eye. Where was he? Oh, Arilyn's place. After sex. Great sex. Hell, the best sex he had ever had in his entire life, including when he lost his virginity to Sally Poole in the tenth grade. And that had been epic.
She squinted those incredible green eyes and moved closer. Poked him as if he were a dead body she was trying to investigate. He held back a laugh. Damned if she wasn't as cute in the morning as when he got her all riled. Her hair was a tangled mess, her eye makeup was smeared, and a crease from the sheets ran across her right cheek.
"Stone! You have to go!"
His other eye winked open. Huh? His gaze dropped to where her peach-tinted nipples peeked from over the covers. Had they really fallen into slumber after only two times? He needed to make up for his lack of planning. The emotion stuff actually threw him off his game, but he'd get back to the main goal of wringing as much pleasure from her as possible and--what? "Wait. Are you throwing me out?"
She gave an impatient huff and climbed out of the bed. The morning light spilled through the window and bounced off her skin. She was gorgeous. She seemed frantic to find something she had lost, opened up a closet, and muttered to herself as she finally tugged something out and wrapped it around her. The silky black robe clung to her skin the way he wanted to. He lost the vision of her bare ass and mourned. "You have to go! I completely forgot that Pinky is at your house, and she'll be scared in a new environment, and you need to feed her and change the water and the poor thing hasn't been walked." She nibbled at her lower lip, ginger brows snapped in a frown, and took out a pair of striped socks. Hopping on one leg, she donned the socks while he enjoyed the bobbing up and down of her breasts. "Are you listening to me? You need to get home to Pinky."
"I heard you." Only the first day of being a dog owner and he hated it. Why the hell would anyone want to leave a warm bed and a gorgeous half-naked woman to take care of a dog? Were people truly nuts? He sat up and gave her his best come-hither smile. "Half an hour more won't make a difference to Pinky. But it will to me." His dick screamed with happiness as she seemed to struggle with the temptation.
Then she belted her robe tighter. "After you take care of Pinky."
"I live across town!" he bellowed. "You're seriously kicking me out this early? Pinky won't care. Hell, she probably pooped in the house anyway; I'll deal with it later."
The familiar stubborn lines of her face told him a battle was about to be launched. "Pinky needs structure and routine. She needs to trust you. Leaving her alone with no care will only enforce what the old owners did to her. I'm sorry, Stone, but fostering is a full-time job and it's important. You have to take it seriously."
He glared at her, still aroused, and now mightily pissed off. "I didn't volunteer for this shit," he reminded her. "You forced me, remember? You can't call me out on not doing a job right that I never wanted in the first place!"
She pressed her lips together. "Semantics. Now, get dressed, take care of Pinky, and we'll see where that leaves us later."
Forget this! Now, she wasn't gonna get any because he was mad. He got out of bed buck naked and stabbed a finger at her. "Fine. I'll go and take care of the rat fink. But next time you want a bit of morning sex, you'll . . . you'll . . ."
"Yes?" she prodded, her eyes filled with amusement.
"You'll be denied!"
He ignored her quiet laughter, stomped to the bathroom, and slammed the door. He dressed in his suit again, totally flaunting the whole man-whore walk-of-confidence vibe, and made his way into the kitchen. This time Robert didn't come f
lying at him but looked up from his food bowl with an eager look on his face. Stone smothered a groan. The dog would be with Arilyn for two weeks, so he should try to make friends so he wasn't scared shitless. Hunkering down, trying not to wince, he held out his hand. "Here, boy. Ugh, Robert. Good boy."
The dog couldn't wag his tail, but his ear pricked. He dragged himself away from his precious food bowl, moving slowly, as if he knew Stone was nervous. Finally, he got close enough to push his wet nose into Stone's palm, nuzzling.
Huh. Kinda cute.
As if he realized he'd gotten through round one, he moved an inch closer and rubbed his head against his hand, giving him a quick lick. Stone's muscles relaxed, and a sense of comfort flowed through him. Reaching out with the other hand in careful motions, Stone stroked his body, eliciting a rumble of happiness and another lick.
Arilyn laughed. "I knew it wouldn't take you long to be friends. There hasn't been a person Robert hasn't won over."
Stone looked up. With her shapely bare legs peeking out from under the silk, her socks pulled up to mid-calf, he longed to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. Drag her back to bed for the entire day, until they both couldn't walk normally. Instead, he tried to hold on to his grouchiness at being thrown out.
"Can I have any coffee before I go?"
"Sure, I have a pot here. Black?"
"Yes."
She fixed him a mug, and with one last pat, Stone stood and took a grateful sip of the hot brew.
Then choked.
"What the hell is this?" he asked. "This isn't coffee!"
She cocked her head with confusion. "Yes, it is. Organic beans specially roasted."
He stared at the mug in horror. "Is this decaffeinated?" he whispered.
"Of course. Caffeine is bad for you, Stone. Once you get used to it, you'll never notice the difference."
He threw the cup in the sink, trying to hold on to his temper. God help him, they'd break up right now if they didn't straighten this out. "Like I didn't notice you took away my meat and replaced it with frozen soy? No. Arilyn, I need real coffee. Black. With lots of caffeine. I don't care if it's not good for you, I can't function without it."
She stuck up her chin in that stubborn way of hers. "Caffeine is an addiction like smoking."