Just a Taste (20 page)

Even if it was different from the way he would do it.

That was the nagging part. He liked things to be his way.

They finished cleaning and closed up the truck. He watched Carmen work. For someone who'd insisted she didn't know about running the truck, she knew exactly what needed to happen. She drove back to her house and he followed her inside.

She dropped the money for the day, along with the receipts and invoices for the food, on the table and started a pot of coffee. He'd forgotten that her job wasn't done yet. She had the books to take care of.

“You want me to help?”

“What?”

“The books. It's not fair for you to have to do that on top of working all day.”

“It's part of running a business.”

“So it should be my part too.”

“It'll be faster for me to do it. If you have time this weekend, I'll teach you how I have it set up.”

He cupped the back of her neck and brought her close for a kiss. He brushed his lips across hers. “Why wouldn't I have time this weekend? Trying to get rid of me?”

Her gaze shot away. “I didn't want to assume . . .”

He lifted her chin to look into her eyes. “I was kidding. And it's okay to assume. That's what it means to be in a relationship. If I had plans, I'd tell you. Right now, my plans are to spend as much time in bed with you as possible.”

Her pulse throbbed against his hand. He kissed her forehead. “You do your office stuff and I'll make us dinner.”

A small sigh escaped her mouth.

“What?”

“Keep it simple. I can't eat huge calorie-filled meals all the time. I don't know how you do it.”

“Healthy doesn't have to be tasteless. If you eat a normal portion, you'll be fine.” He took a moment to run his hands down the sides of her body, over her hips, and around to her ass. “Besides, I like your body. Everything about it. Just the way it is.”

“I like yours too,” she whispered.

CHAPTER 12

T
he rest of the week sped by in a blur. Carmen was relaxed and comfortable. Liam had spent every night at her house. She'd had more great sex in this one week than she'd had in all of her previous experiences put together. The fact that Rosa called and wanted to go out for drinks Friday night was a good thing. Taking a small break from practically living together made sense.

Things between her and Liam were moving fast. Besides the fabulous sex, which she'd never thought she'd have, they worked together seamlessly. And they were having fun.

After finishing work for the day, Liam kissed her good-bye at her front door and told her to have fun with Rosa. Then he asked her to call him when she got home so he'd know she was safe. She looked forward to talking with Rosa and hanging out, but at the same time, she wanted to be with Liam, curled up on the couch watching TV after eating dinner.

That was probably the most surprising thing. Liam had been helping her enjoy food again. Each time a slice of panic poked her, he looked at her with desire. The guilt and fear still simmered, but she was able to eat and enjoy a meal. She hadn't even been aware how empty her life had been without real food. If she continued on this path, though, she'd have to find the time to start working out again. After years of controlling her weight via her diet, she'd have to go back to exercising like she had in college. Overall, it wasn't a bad trade-off.

Rosa arrived, dressed to kill as usual.

“I thought we were hanging out together.”

“We are,” Rosa answered. “But you never know who you might meet. Ready?”

Carmen shook her head at Rosa. The girl was always looking for a man. Carmen had never looked for one. They were so different. Carmen wondered why they were such good friends.

Rosa drove to her favorite bar. Carmen didn't have a favorite bar or anything else for that matter. The interior was dark. Ambient lighting scattered through the place. From the back, thumping music pounded and Rosa headed in that direction.

Carmen clamped her arm. “Let's get a table on this side. Otherwise we won't be able to talk.” And boy, did she want to talk.

Rosa rolled her eyes, but grabbed a table near the center of the room. Rosa always liked to keep her options open and see what was going on around her. Carmen liked that about her cousin; it made her fun.

A waitress came by and they ordered margaritas. Although Rosa continued to scan the room, she asked, “So what's going on with you and Liam? Dad said you're working on the truck.”

“I am and I like it. We're having fun.”

“But working with your boyfriend? He is your boyfriend, right? You're not a friends-with-benefits thing?”

“We're in a relationship, so I guess you'd call him my boyfriend.”

“I don't know why I asked. You'd never be able to handle anything less.”

Carmen didn't bother to argue; Rosa was right. Casual sex would never be her thing. “I like working with him, but it's . . . I don't know. Intense, I guess. We work all day. He's been spending the night at my house, so we're together all the time.”

“That's crazy.”

“I know it's crazy, but it doesn't feel crazy.”

“Is he good in bed?”

Of course, as soon as the question left Rosa's mouth, the waitress arrived with their drinks. Heat flushed Carmen's cheeks. She couldn't make eye contact with the woman. She mumbled a thank-you and took a drink to cool her throat. The gritty salt on the rim followed by the bite of alcohol reminded her of the last time she'd had a margarita, with Liam. The night she'd wanted to sleep with him and he sent her off to bed alone.

“You didn't answer.”

“Yes, Rosa. He's really good in bed. Not that I have much to compare him to.” She sighed. “He makes me feel beautiful and sexy. Every time he looks at me, I feel his lust.”

“But? I hear a big, fat ‘but' coming.”

Carmen leaned close and lowered her voice. “But I don't know what I'm doing. The few times I had sex before this, it was over quickly and I wasn't really involved, if you know what I mean. I was too self-conscious to enjoy myself.”

Rosa's face squinched up. “Self-conscious about what? Most men don't care about much when they're getting laid.”

“You always say that, but it matters to me. I felt fat and didn't want a guy to notice.”

“You're not fat.”

“Not now, but I was then. I want to be different with Liam, but I don't know how.” Her shoulders sagged. “He hasn't even seen me totally naked.”

Rosa put her chin on her fist as she leaned her elbow on the table. “How exactly did you have sex and spend the whole night together without getting naked? Sounds like more trouble than it's worth.”

“It probably is, but he puts up with it. I'm afraid it won't last.”

“You need to let go. Just have fun. Do whatever feels good for you. Trust me, he'll appreciate it.”

Carmen swallowed more of her drink. If she was going to confess, she might as well go all the way. “I don't know what'll feel good. I don't know where to start.”

Rosa nudged her shoulder. “Good thing we have all night. I have plenty of ideas.”

Three hours and too many margaritas later, Rosa dropped Carmen off at Liam's house. She should've called first, but if she did, she would've lost her nerve. Her liquid courage would only last so long.

He answered her knock wearing a pair of sweatpants and nothing else. She sighed.

“Hi. What are you doing here?”

She pushed past him and said, “I want to sleep with you. Do different stuff.”

“Are you drunk?”

She squinted and held up her finger and thumb, barely spaced. “Maybe a little. But I know what I'm saying. The margaritas are just helping me say it.”

He closed and locked the door. “Say what?”

She closed her eyes and blurted, “I don't want to be boring in bed. I don't want you to be afraid of doing things with me like you have to protect me or something.”

“Are you saying I'm boring you?”

She opened her eyes and stared at him. “God, no. I feel like you're holding back.” She waved her hand. “I know I'm guilty of that too. That's what I want to change. I just don't know how.”

She swallowed and waited for a response. Her heart crashed against her ribs as Liam neared her.

“Get naked.”

“Wh—What?”

“You said you wanted to be open, no holding back. Get naked right here in the living room, with all the lights on.” He cocked an eyebrow, daring her to follow through.

She unwrapped her scarf and took off her jacket. Liam crossed his arms and waited. She kicked off her shoes and then peeled off her jeans, keenly aware of the fact that her sweater was long enough that she was still covered. Maybe not modestly, but covered.

“It's easy.” He dropped his sweatpants and stood in front of her in his boxer briefs. He stepped closer still and kissed her. When he stepped back, the bulge in his underwear was noticeably larger.

She licked her lips. He laughed and she realized she was staring. “Sorry,” she mumbled.

“Don't be.” He pushed his underwear off.

Now she really couldn't help but stare. He stepped closer again and tugged her sweater over her head. She didn't resist, but she did close her eyes. Chilled air washed over her warm skin, causing a slight shiver. When she reopened her eyes, Liam was staring at her.

“The rest is up to you.”

She reached behind and unclasped her bra. She let it drop to her feet. Instinct had her wanting to cover herself, but Liam grabbed her hands. He looked into her eyes, even though she was mostly naked. Without breaking eye contact, his hands moved over her breasts, causing her nipples to pebble and harden.

She wanted his hands everywhere. Hooking her thumbs in the waistband of her panties, she gave them a shove, but Liam's fingers on her nipples were distracting.

“Allow me,” he said gruffly. He slid her underwear down, kissing her stomach and along her hips as he moved. By the time she was ready to step out of the panties, he was kneeling in front of her. He looked up and she saw heat and passion in his eyes.

He kissed her thigh again and using both hands, spread her legs. He swiped his tongue over her and her knees weakened. She slapped her hand on the back of the couch for balance. As much as she loved his mouth on her, she already knew how good this was. She wanted new and different.

Taking a small step away, she said, “Come here.”

He rose to meet her. She gripped his dick, felt the warm, smooth skin, and stroked him. The sound he released was somewhere between a moan and a grunt. The tip was wet and she rubbed her thumb across it, moistening the entire head. She loved knowing she made him this hard.

“I don't know if I'll be any good, but I want to try.”

He gave her a look of confusion, but she sank to her knees. Rosa had been kind enough to give her blow-by-blow instructions and she hoped her alcohol-fueled brain would be able to follow them. She licked the head and tasted the saltiness. She swirled her tongue over him and then took him in her mouth until he bumped against her soft palate.

She began to bob her head. When Liam's hand landed on her head and his fingers tangled in her hair, she knew she was doing it right. Her jaw became sore and tight, but she kept going. Liam tugged her hair, startling her into letting him go.

“Stand up.” His voice was strangled. He was on edge and she'd gotten him there.

Carmen felt proud enough that she'd almost forgotten that she stood naked, her nipples hard, and her sex wet.

“Let's go to bed.”

“Let's finish here,” she offered. She bent over and pulled out the condom Rosa had stuffed in her purse.

His hand closed over hers. “You sure you want it like this?”

She didn't know what she was getting herself into, but she nodded. He took the condom from her and kissed her hard. His dick poked into her stomach. Liam scooped her hair back and attacked her neck with his mouth, biting and sucking, making her even wetter. She whimpered.

He released her and put the condom on. Then he spun her and said, “Put your hands on the couch.”

She followed his direction. Her heart beat double-time, knowing that this would definitely be different. He pulled at her legs until she took a step back, forcing her to bend at the waist.

Liam ran a hand down her back and followed with hot, wet, urgent kisses. He stood behind her. His dick prodded her ass cheeks and her thighs as his fingers skated down her spine. He reached around her hip and then he touched her clit. She was so sensitive and turned on, the simple flick almost buckled her knees.

He rubbed against her and her hips thrust up at him. He entered her from behind in one long, smooth stroke. She laid her forehead on the back of the couch and gripped the cool leather with her fingers. Liam rocked into her, but he kept one hand on her clit, rubbing, stroking, flicking, driving her absolutely crazy.

Moving his hands to her hips, he picked up the pace, thrusting into her. She felt her flesh jiggling, but she couldn't stop to get embarrassed. Her orgasm built, but it was just out of her reach. Liam's fingers tightened on her, pressing into the softness of her hips. She wanted—no, needed—his hand back on her.

“Please,” she whined.

He slowed and leaned close, moving her hair off her shoulder. He was buried deep inside her and whispered in her ear, “Please, what?”

“Touch me.”

He reached beneath their bodies and pinched her nipples, drawing a moan from her.

“Liam.” She was breathless and he had her pinned so she couldn't move her hips, couldn't wiggle or buck even though her body screamed for her to do so.

His fingers trailed down her stomach until he reached her clit. “This?”

“Oh, God, yes.” And then he took his hand away again. He was trying to kill her. She didn't know why, but she knew he was doing it on purpose.

He took her hand from the couch and pulled it back to her body. With his fingers on top of hers, they stroked her. “Keep going.”

His hands moved back to her hips and he picked up his rhythm again. Her own fingers paused where he'd left her. As soon as he moved, though, the pad of her finger made contact and she shuddered. Her hand couldn't move fast enough. Her muscles tightened and clenched, but the movement didn't stop. The pressure was overwhelming and then she crashed.

Her entire body buzzed. She tried to catch her breath, but Liam pounded into her, pushing her against the couch, shifting the piece of furniture. She tried to find purchase to hold still, but her muscles were useless. He gripped one of her shoulders, holding her in place.

Then a growl came from him and he stilled. Her muscles were still pulsing around him. She didn't know how she was able to remain semi-upright. Liam slid out of her and pulled her to standing against him. His arms circled her from behind. “You okay?”

“Yeah.”

He turned her to face him and kissed her. “Different enough?”

She nodded, a hint of embarrassment creeping in now that her brain was functioning again. He smoothed a hand down her cheek. “I love your body. Let's go to bed and experiment some more.”

For the first time in her life, Carmen walked through a living room with a man while she was completely naked. And unashamed because he loved her body. In that moment, Carmen knew she was falling for Liam O'Leary and she was in deep.