Bidding War (13 page)

“Oh please…”

He took satisfaction in watching her reaction to his touch. He could see it in the blush climbing up her neck, staining her cheeks. Her chest was rising and falling with every labored breath, and her legs trembled. Her abdomen visibly clenched, outlining the taut muscles beneath the soft skin, and he was quickly passing the point of no return. Turning her on was turning him on, and he knew he’d have to take her again, here, now.

“Fuck,” he said, sliding his cock back into her pussy. “You don’t know what you do to me. This is crazy.”

She opened her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. “I love that…” She paused as he continued to rub her clit. “I can make you… lose control… like that.” She cried out, clenching him as she throbbed around his cock, drenching him with her come.

“I love you,” he whispered. He didn’t care that she may think it was too soon, or that he was rushing her into a relationship before she felt ready. She needed to know how he felt about her, that he was in this for the duration.

She opened eyes still heavy from the orgasm that tore through her body. “You’re amazing. I’ve never known anyone like you before. I want this. I want you. Please don’t doubt that. Just because I need a little more time doesn’t mean that I’m having doubts.”

He continued stroking her with his cock, allowing his body to guide him to the peak of that elusive summit. Words didn’t matter anymore. The only thing that existed for him now, in this moment, was sliding in and out of her tight channel. “God, you feel amazing,” he muttered, clenching his teeth. He would gladly do this all night long but not here. He needed to spread her out on a bed so he could devour her.

“I love the way you love me,” she whispered.

When he looked down, her blue eyes were boring into his. She didn’t have to tell him she loved him. Her eyes told him. He smiled, reaching down to stroke her face. This woman deserved the best he had to give and then some. “This is only the beginning, sweetheart. I want to do so much with you…” He loved that he was the only one to ever make love to her. He’d kill before he ever let another man have access to her body.

“I can’t wait,” she said, closing her eyes and tilting her head back. “I want to experience everything with you. I want…” She glided her hands down her ribcage as she lifted her hips to meet his urgent thrusts. “It’s so intense… God, I had no idea it… would feel like this.”

He had never known a woman who was so responsive, so in tune to his needs. He had no doubt they could make love every night for the rest of their lives and it still wouldn’t satisfy his craving for her.

He gripped her hips and plowed into her, anxious to help her find her release once more. The women he’d been with in the past were often unable to come during sex without added stimulation, but he loved that it wasn’t a problem for her. His cock seemed to be the only stimulus she needed to get off. “That’s it, sweetheart. I want to watch you come for me again.”

She moaned as she slid her hands up to cup her tits, rolling her thumbs around her nipples. “I love the way your cock feels…”

He grinned. “The way you fit me, it’s like you were made for me.”

She opened her eyes as he stopped, wrapping his hands around her waist. He could sense that she had something on her mind but was afraid to express it. She needed to know that she could tell him anything. He didn’t just want to be her lover; he wanted to be her husband, her best friend, her…

“Do you believe in soul mates?” she asked, casting her eyes down the length of his chest. “I mean, do you think there’s only one person in the world meant for you?”

He didn’t expect this question, not now, while he was making love to her. “Uh, I…”

She shook her head, looking embarrassed. “Forget I asked. It’s silly.”

He eased his body down on top of her, trying to brace his forearms on either side of her. “You and I were meant to be together, baby. I knew that the first time you got out of that stupid little wind-up car.”

She laughed, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

“I started feeling this crazy need to protect you. The weather took a turn for the worse; a storm was blowing in…”

She nodded. “I remember. I remember everything about that day.”

“I didn’t want to let you drive home in that. I was worried about you. That’s how I knew you were different, special.” Pinning her with his gaze, he said, “I wanted to protect you, take care of you. I still do.” He knew she had issues with being taken care of, but he couldn’t help himself. His protective instincts compelled him to take care of the people he loved, and she topped that list.

She reached up to stroke his face, smiling. “I love that about you.”

“Does that mean you’re okay with it?” He held his breath, waiting for her response. He didn’t know what he would do if she said she wasn’t. He knew she was capable of taking care of herself, and that she’d been doing it for years, but he could give her so much more. He wanted her to live in his spacious home instead of that little studio apartment. He wanted to buy her a luxury SUV instead of that tinker toy she used to drive.

She pulled his head down, brushing a kiss over his lips. “It may take some getting used to, but I’m willing to try.”

“Move in with me,” he said quickly. He knew he may be acting impulsively, but he didn’t want to wait another day to start his new life with her. He eased back and began stroking slowly to remind her that they could experience this every night if they shared the same bed.

“What are you…” She struggled to keep her eyes open. A moan slipped past her lips as she raised her hips to meet his urgent thrusting. “What are you talking about?”

“I want you to share my bed… my home… my life.” He knew he wouldn’t be satisfied until he got his ring on her finger and she shared his last name, but this would be a step in the right direction. “Come on, sweetheart. Say yes.” He knew asking the question when her defenses were down wasn’t fair. She was on the verge of coming apart in his arms, but he didn’t care if he wasn’t fighting fair. He was fighting to win.

“I…” She moaned, gripping his biceps. “Don’t… know…”

She hadn’t said no. He’d take what he could get, for now, but he wouldn’t let her leave his home until he knew she’d be coming back carrying her suitcases. “God, I’m so close. Come for me, baby.”

“Yes,” she cried, tipping her head back as she squeezed her eyes shut.

She was squeezing him mercilessly without even realizing it. Her pussy was throbbing around his cock, making it impossible for him to maintain control. He pulled out on a curse, wishing he could stay buried in her tight sheath as she milked him dry. Her response didn’t even register until long after the stars behind his eyelids started to fade. She’d said yes. Was she responding to his question or surrendering to her body’s demands?

She smiled, gliding her hands over his abdomen. “I expected more of a reaction when I accepted your offer.”

He was too stunned to respond at first. “Yes? Seriously? You want to move in with me?” He cursed himself when he realized how it sounded, as though he hadn’t expected her to take him up on his suggestion.

“Um, you know, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea…”

“No, shit no. It was the best idea I’ve ever had.” He laughed. “I mean, I want you to move in with me.”

Smiling at his enthusiastic response, she said, “Are you sure?”

He leaned over to kiss her. “I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life.”

Chapter Eleven

Lacy followed Shane into the bathroom, sore, satisfied, and bone-tired. She’d had a long day and an even longer week. Working two jobs was harder than she remembered.

He reached in to turn the shower on before turning toward her. His eyes never left hers as he slowly peeled her clothes off. “You’re gorgeous,” he whispered.

She’d never thought of herself as beautiful, but that’s how he made her feel. “Thank you.” She watched him peel his clothes off and thought he was the one who deserved that title. Lord have mercy, the man looked like a Greek god in the buff.

He took her hand and led her into the hot, steamy shower. He positioned her directly under the spray as he reached for a bottle of scented body wash.

It had a distinctly spicy aroma that she immediately associated with him. She inhaled deeply as the scent surrounded her. Leaning her head against his shoulder, she watched his soapy hands travel over her ribcage, breasts, shoulders, and arms. She felt the tension melt away as he gently massaged her tired muscles. She could definitely get used to this, she decided. Having a man who was willing to pamper her would be a welcome respite from the daily grind she was used to. “Hmm, that feels so good.”

His hands slipped lower, between her thighs.

She arched into his touch. She thought she was too sore, too tired, to even consider making love again, but obviously she was wrong. The moisture pooling between her legs had nothing to do with the shower spray and everything to do with his expert touch. “Please,” she whispered.

He chuckled in her ear. “I love that you can’t get enough. I feel the same way, but you must be sore. I don’t want to…”

Turning into his arms, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I want to, please, I need to feel you inside me again.”

He growled, backing her into the limestone wall tiles behind her. “Damn it, this wasn’t supposed to happen. I just wanted to help you relax before we went to bed.”

She loved that he put her needs first. She was beginning to realize she’d been subconsciously looking for a man like Shane forever
—
someone who was strong, capable, in control. She was tired of bearing the burdens of life all alone. Finally, she was ready to let someone else take over the reins for a while.

He slid a finger deep inside of her as he assailed her mouth with his tongue. He didn’t just kiss her, he explored her.

She was so wet, so hot, it felt like his tongue was swiping her clit instead of her mouth. Groaning, she spread her legs wider as she thrust her fingers into his wet hair. “God, I love the way you kiss me,” she said, pulling away to draw breath.

He grinned. “Speaking of which, sit down.” He pointed to the limestone bench lining one wall of the spacious shower and she didn’t have to ask what he had in store for her. His scorching perusal of her body made his intentions evident.

She did as he asked, without question. Any woman in her right mind would obey his sensual demands. Easing down on the bench, she waited for him to nudge her legs apart. Instead of kneeling, as she expected, he reached for the hand-held sprayer. Eyeing it warily, she asked, “Uh, what are you going to do with that?”

He grinned. That sexy flash of white amidst the dark stubble coloring his jawline prompted her stomach to do cartwheels. He was the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on, and he wanted her, only her. It was like a delicious, erotic dream.

After turning the dial to adjust the spray, he said, “Hands behind your back, and don’t move them unless I tell you to.”

She loved this domineering side of his personality. It made her feel safe, protected, knowing he was in control. If he was determined to take ownership of her orgasms, she was more than happy to oblige. Lord knows she hadn’t been an expert in that department before he came along. Now, it seemed he’d flipped a switch and she was more in tune to her body than ever. She wasn’t afraid to let him know what she wanted or needed, and she knew he would deliver.

“I’m waiting,” he murmured, shocking her with a blast of warm water across her sensitive nipples.

She quickly obeyed, spreading her legs.

He directed the spray all over her upper torso before finally guiding it lower.

She bit her lip, squirming against the cool tile. She needed to move, touch her nipples, something…

“Remember what I said,” he warned, guiding the piercing spray toward her clit.

Her breath quickened at the brief contact and she wanted to cry out, begging him to give her what she needed, but she knew he was the one calling the shots tonight.

He jerked his hand, giving her a taste of the sensation she was craving. “You like that?”

It was too brief, lasting only seconds, but she knew the intensity could give her an explosive orgasm. “Yes, please…”

He leaned back against the opposite wall of the shower as he turned up the intensity on his instrument of torture. “Spread your legs nice and wide for me, sweetheart.” He laughed. “This is kind of like that game you play at the fair as a kid.”