High Noon (Between the Veils Series, Book Two) (13 page)

“Dalton’s gone, sweetie. And the other guests have been on their best behavior. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”

His gaze clashed with hers, his expression sending a shiver down her spine.

She forced herself to swallow, not sure what to say next. “Blake?”

He sighed and closed the distance, resting his forehead on hers. “I wasn’t talking about the ghosts, I meant us. This is where it all started.”

“But, we haven’t made love in here, not yet.”

He eased away enough to look her in the eyes. “This isn’t about sex. This is about me realizing I couldn’t lose you. That every decision I’d made had led me to that point…that moment when the only thing that mattered was your safety.” He drew a shaky breath then released it. “This is where I realized I loved you.”

Her stomach dropped as her heart did a jig in her chest. Despite spending the past month together, neither of them had taken the next step. Had dared utter those three little words that held more power than Dalton had ever wielded against them.

She held his gaze, wanting to speak but unable to make the words form on her tongue. She felt her mouth curve into a smile as tears leaked down her cheeks. God, when had she become so emotional?

Blake frowned and reached for her face, brushing the drops away. The lines along his forehead deepened as his lips pulled into a tight line. “It’s okay, sweetheart. If you don’t feel the same, you can just tell me.”

Payton pursed her lips and swatted him across the shoulder. Hard. “You know, for a brilliant man you can be pretty stupid.”

He took a step back, rubbing his shoulder as he stared at her. “What are you talking about, and why the hell did you hit me?”

“I hit you because sometimes I think that’s the only way to get through that thick skull of yours. I’m not crying because I’m sad, Blake. I’m crying because I’m happy. Because I never thought I’d find someone who made me feel beautiful and sexy and smart without asking me to change.” She reclaimed the lost inches between them, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Because I just realized that no matter what happens in my life, I’ll have you to share it with. The good and the bad.” She nuzzled his nose with hers. “I love you, too.”

His sigh of relief mixed with her breath, his hands sliding around her waist as he pulled her tight to his chest. He brushed his lips across hers, teasing her with fleeting passes before taking them hard with his. She gave in to the rush of need making her stomach flutter and dance. This is what she wanted—Blake hot and hard in her arms, his control hanging by a thread. While she’d enjoyed every moment of the past few weeks with him, even minus the intimate contact, knowing he wanted her with the same desperate need she did him, made her head spin.

Blake nipped at her neck as he pulled back, his arms still locked around her. His pupils were dilated, his breathing more erratic. She could feel the stiff press of his cock against her stomach and she took the time to rub her body against it, loving how his jaw tensed and his head fell back. Though he was trying to hide it, she knew he was close.

“Damn, sweetheart. Do that again and I’ll come like a teenager in my damn jeans.”

“We’ve got all night. I think you’ll find I can be extremely patient.”

A devilish grin spread across his face as he stared down at her. “Is that so? Maybe we should test that theory firsthand.”

Her breath left her on a gasp as he lifted her up again and headed for the bed, this time placing her in the center and yanking her top over her head before she could do more than blink. She stared up at him, wondering why he seemed in such a rush when he wrapped something around her left wrist. She tried to take a look but he raised her arm over her head, laying her down on the covers as he pulled her arm taut, repeating his action on her other side.

Payton tugged against the restraints, her body heating when she realized there was no getting loose without his help. The notion made her clit throb as he sat back, surveying his work.

“Not bad in a pinch. And I must admit—I love the contrast of my black belt against your skin. Even with a slight tan it’s exquisite.” He leaned over her. “You’re exquisite.” His finger caressed the side of her jaw. “You okay with this?”

She sucked on her bottom lip, still trying to believe he’d actually tied her to the bed.

“Payton.”

She jumped, finally focusing on his face.

He smiled. “Should I take your silence as a sign you’re content with these arrangements.”

She crushed the bubble of laughter that threatened. “If I were anymore okay with this, I would have come already.” She met his gaze. “In fact, I still might.”

The muscle in his jaw flexed as his focus drifted to her groin. “Oh, that’s a certainty, sweetheart. But I’ll be damned if it happens before I get to play.” He stood, crossing his arms on his chest. “I can leave for a bit if you need to…relax.”

He took a step away and she practically screamed his name. He turned back, not bothering to hide his smug smile.

He reached for his jeans, popping the button free before shoving them off his body. “And you tried to convince me you weren’t a screamer. I haven’t even started yet, and already the neighbors know my name.”

“We don’t have neighbors and I swear, if you walk out that door…”

He leaned over the bed and drew a finger down her chest, smiling as her nipples beaded against her bra. “You’ll do what? Come harder?”

She glared at him, clenching her jaw when he circled one nipple, gently flicking his finger across the tip. Damn, but he made it hard to stay angry.

Blake smiled as he stood, returning to the task of removing his clothes. His movements were calculated and painfully slow. Payton squirmed on the bed, more cream coating her slit as his body was revealed inch by glorious inch. His shirt went next, exposing bands of lean muscles tapering into a narrow waist and strong thighs. His hair fell over his forehead, shading his eyes as he fingered his briefs, pushing them down a bit at a time. She held her breath as the material descended along his groin, finally revealing an erect shaft already shiny with fluid. She moistened her lips, wondering if he’d let her lick the head clean.

Blake tsked her, dipping the bed with his weight as he sat beside her thighs. “Naughty thoughts, sweetheart. Good thing I’ve already tied you up.” He patted her left leg. “Now I suggest you leave these wherever I place them or I’ll find something else to bind them with.”

The thought heated her core, making it feel as if her groin was on fire. Flutters raced through her stomach and into her sex, pulsing her clit until she feared she’d come from his words alone.

Blake shook his head in feigned disappointment. “I thought you were relaxing. Honestly, Payton. How can I play when you’re strung so tight?” He shuffled up the bed. “Perhaps I should try and help ease some of your tension.”

He placed his fingers between her breasts, easily flicking the clasp free. His hands moved to either side, taking the cups with him and baring her to his hungry gaze. One side of his mouth quirked up as he leaned in and licked the closest nipple.

She pressed against the gentle contact, trying to increase the pressure, but he merely moved with her, repeating the frustratingly soft caress on the other side.

She huffed, fisting her hands around the belt. “I thought you were going to help me relax, not make me melt into a puddle.”

He looked at her across her body. “All in good time.” He dropped a light kiss on each bud, humming his approval before finally sitting up. “Okay, close your eyes.”

She stared at him, not sure she’d heard him right. “What?”

“Close your eyes.” He tilted his head. “Trust me.”

She sighed. Damn, love was complicated. She closed her eyes, trying not to hold her breath when his hands curled around her shoulders, massaging the tense muscles with firm strokes. The rhythmic movement soothed her raw nerves, and she moaned in delight as he continued his treatment along her arms and across her stomach, releasing every knot that had worked its way into her muscles.

“Feeling better?”

She nodded, managing a husky yes as he moved to down her body, stopping at the edge of her pants. He tugged against the closure, freeing them with a simple twist before easing them over her hips and past her ankles. He moved back to her thighs, swirling his hands over her hips as he lifted the line of her panties. His amused chuckle gained her attention. She opened her eyes, pinned by the telling gleam in his. He looked more than pleased with himself.

“What are you smiling about?”

“You.” He tugged on the cotton waistband as his other hand brushed up the line of her crease. “You’ve soaked another pair, sweetheart.” He tsked. “You know what happens when you do that.”

She opened her mouth in protest just as he tore the thin strips at the sides, separating the garment from her body. She pouted, intent on telling him he’d owe her more than just panties when he bent down and pulled the scrap free with his teeth. His warm breath coasted over her skin, making it bead with anticipation. Her warning came out as a throaty plea for more, her body arching toward his caress.

“Easy, sweetheart. I’ll give you more.” He placed his hands on her thighs, splaying them wide across the bed. “Keep them there.”

His message was conveyed by his firm tone. Either she followed his instructions or he’d make her want until she begged for release. She nodded her acceptance, wondering what move he’d make next. He trailed his hands up her legs, massaging her muscles, only this time his touch was more teasing, designed to work her up instead of calm her down. He concentrated on her thighs, giving her slit fleeting touches of the back of his hand, just firm enough to get a reaction without sending her over. She pushed her head into the pillow, knowing she’d burst if he didn’t give her the release she needed soon.

The bed dipped again and she looked down as he moved between her open thighs, his face now even with her groin. Her cheeks heated at the way he studied her, feeling more on display than she ever had. He glanced at her, his eyes just visible above her mound. When he was sure she was watching him, he poked out his tongue and drew it slowly up her cleft.

Fire and ice surged through her core, heating and freezing her at the same time. Her clit felt electrified, every small pass of his tongue a shock to her system. She bucked against his caress, crying out when he slipped a finger inside her.

“Oh god, sweetheart. You’re so fucking wet.” He lapped at her as he slid his finger in and out, grazing her G-spot with every pass. “I could spend hours with you like this—open, ready, weeping for me to make you come. Damn, it’s hot.”

She whimpered at the next stroke, hissing out her breath as he took her clit in his mouth and sucked. Spots colored her vision as her body wound tighter, sending her closer to her release. His warm breath tickled her nub as he added another finger.

She pressed against him, fighting to keep her legs locked in place when his fingers pulled out, the tip of one circling her ass. She gasped and looked down at him, not sure what to expect, when he pressed it against her pucker, slowly sinking it inside.

Her breath left her, her eyes rolling back slightly. “God. Blake.”

He kissed her clit, adding another layer of sensation. “Just relax. We’ll just play a bit tonight. See if you enjoy it.”

She yelled his name this time, trying to increase his penetration. The feeling was hotter than before and she wondered what it’d feel like to have his cock in her ass. “Enjoy it? I don’t know whether to scream or cry it’s so intense.”

“I’ll take either, as long as they aren’t tears of pain.”

He added another finger, scissoring them apart as he returned to her clit, licking and sucking as he pumped her ass. The sensations merged together until she couldn’t tell which part of her tingled more or which stimulation would send her over first.

“Damn, you’re so tight back here. Close your eyes, sweetheart, and give me what I need.”

He increased his movements, thrusting harder and faster as he attacked her nub, nipping it then laving the slight sting. The added bite sent her careening upward, the motion in her ass finally pushing her over. She opened her mouth, but didn’t know if she screamed his name or only imagined it in her head as she shattered, pleasure rolling through her in never-ending waves. She let herself go, trusting him to catch her as she crashed back to earth, her limbs going limp on the bed.

Blake dropped a kiss on her mound as he moved up her body, laying over her as she trembled through the last of her release. The increased weight felt good—the firmness of it soothing the raw feeling still churning inside her. She sucked in a ragged breath as she opened her eyes, staring into the deep blue of his. He smiled, his lips still shiny with her arousal.

“Damn, that was beautiful. Do it again.”

She cried out as he levered his hips, hilting his cock inside her in one strong thrust. Another orgasm burned through her veins, making the need even stronger. She whispered his name, praying he’d know what to do to banish the emptiness that had taken root inside her.

Blake narrowed his gaze, studying her as if trying to read her thoughts. He drew a sharp breath then pounded into her as if his life depended on it. Pleasure surged through her but despite his torrid pace, her body stayed perched on the edge, refusing to climb that last bit of distance. She tugged at the restraints, pleading in his ear. He made three more passes then cursed, pulling out before nudging her ass with his cock.

“Yes. God, please.”

Her words were husky and raw, threading together to form more of a prayer than a request. He palmed his hands on her ass, spreading her cheeks wide as he pushed against the tight ring of muscles, maintaining the pressure until the tension eased, and his cock slipped inside her.

“God, Payton. You’re so hot and tight. Damn, I won’t last long.”

She chanted his name, the burning in her ass morphing into a dark, deep pleasure. He kept the first few passes light, easing in then gently retreating. It wasn’t until she begged him to take her that he lowered his head to hers again and reared his hips back, pistoning forward as his balls slapped against her flesh.