Treasuring Amber: The Temptation Saga: Book Five (8 page)

BOOK: Treasuring Amber: The Temptation Saga: Book Five
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He slowly undressed her, discarded her blouse and her bra, and feasted on her nipples.

Sweet ecstasy. His mouth felt so good on her breasts, so good and so right. Her areolas wrinkled, pushing her nipples out farther, sending tingles to her core.

She’d had some experience—not a lot, but some—but never had she known a man who could drive her as crazy as this one.

“Your breasts are delicious,” he said.

He moved downward and deftly removed her skirt and panties. She started to kick off her mules, but he stopped her.

“Leave them on. You look amazing.”

She wanted to please him, truly she did, but leaving them on reminded her too much of her days at Rachel’s. She didn’t want anything to taint this night. She kicked them off anyway, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

He looked down, frowned slightly, but said nothing.

And into her mind came a single thought.
He understood
. She knew he did.

He spread her legs and smiled. “I can’t wait to taste you again.”

She tried to stop him, or she at least thought about it. He’d given her so much pleasure this morning that she wanted to please him first.

But when his tongue touched her hard bud, she was lost. He feasted on her folds, her clit, all of her, his stubble grazing over her and making her hotter. She shuddered. Had anything in the world ever felt as good as this?

Her hips rose, thrust against his mouth, urging him to delve deeper into her wetness. Her naked body tingled against his fully clothed one.

“You’re wearing too many clothes, cowboy.”

“Shh,” he said against her, his voice a soft vibration against her slick folds. “I’m busy.”

Far be it from her to bother a busy man. She reached forward, grabbed two fistfuls of his silky hair, and pulled him farther into her heat.

“God, that feels amazing.” When had her voice lowered an octave?

He held her at bay for what seemed like an eternity, until she couldn’t help but shout at him. “Please, you’ve got to let me come!”

He thrust two fingers inside her, and she shattered. Up she flew to the highest peaks of the Rockies. Her entire body throbbed along with her sex, and when she floated downward, his fingers still moved in and out of her, gently now, softly.

So good. So very good.

He lowered his head, but she stopped him. “Oh no, not this time.”

“You didn’t like?” His devilish smile told her he knew otherwise.

“Are you kidding? You’re the most talented man in the world at that.”

“High praise.”

“Indeed. But it’s my turn. There are a few things I’m pretty good at too.”

She pulled him down on the bed and maneuvered on top of him. His erection pulsed against her naked wet sex. How she wanted him. She was ready to yank down his pants and mount him then and there.

But no. She wanted to please him first, as he’d pleased her. She unbuttoned his shirt slowly, all the while trailing light kisses over his neck and chest. His copper coin nipples stuck out through chestnut chest hair. They were turgid, begging to be sucked. She obliged.

“Oh, baby, you have no idea how good that feels.”

She chuckled against his warm flesh. “I think I have a vague concept.”

“I know… I just…my nipples are really sensitive. More so than most guys, I think. At least that’s what women say.”

She let his nipple tumble from her lips and looked up. “You’ve had a lot of women, huh?”

His eyes were heavy, half-lidded. “Not a lot. A few. They’ve all been amazed at how my nipples react.”

“I see.” She placed a soft kiss on one nipple. “They’re delicious, actually.”

“I’m glad, baby, because you can keep doing that forever and I won’t complain.”

“With pleasure.” She sucked and tugged, moving from nipple to nipple and loving every second of it.

Harper squirmed beneath her, his jean-clad erection pushing against her.

She wanted to see him naked. In all his tousled sexy glory. She let his nipple go and rained tiny kisses down his chest, his belly, pausing to lick his belly button. With precision, she unsnapped and unzipped his jeans.

Lord. No underwear.

“Commando? Expecting to get lucky tonight?”

“Just hoping, baby, that’s all.”

His erection sprang free from a nest of brown curls. He was magnificent, large and golden, with a drop of fluid glistening on the head of his cock. She licked it off.

He shuddered beneath her.

“You like that?”

“God, baby, yes. Suck me. Please.”

“Since you said please.” She twirled her tongue around the swollen head and savored the salty masculine flavor. He groaned in pleasure. She warmed, and her own sex throbbed.

Pleasing him pleased her. More than it had with any other man she’d been with.

She continued her assault, trailing her tongue along his length to his base and back up again, teasing and teasing, until she finally lowered her mouth and took all of him to the back of her throat.

“Ah, God, baby,” he groaned. “Yes, take it all.”

She could do this for hours, suck his beautiful cock. She wanted this as much as he did.

Surprising. She’d never enjoyed this aspect of sex much.

Until now.

Until now when she was with a man she truly cared about.

When had she started caring this much? When had she fallen in love?

Don’t go there, Amber.

She resumed her task, loving every delicious moment of it.

“Baby, baby…”

She lifted her head. “Yeah?”

“Nightstand drawer. Condom.”

God, yes.
Condom. She wanted him inside her. She grappled in the drawer and retrieved a foil packet. Quickly she ripped it open, sheathed him, climbed atop him, and sank herself onto his hardness.

Had she ever felt so full? So complete?

Slowly she moved up and down, finding his rhythm, letting his own pistoning hips guide her.

“Yeah, baby. God, yeah.” His voice was deep, and his tone seemed to be hugging her, urging her to make love to him. “Fuck me. That’s it.”

Not a word she liked. But he said it so sweetly that it turned her on even more. She wanted to fuck him. She wanted to fuck his brains out. Her whole body felt like a rocket ready to launch.

She moved faster. Her clit rubbed against him as she pumped, and oh, oh…
yes
. The orgasm hit her with more force than she was prepared for, and she nearly fell off the bed.

His strong hands steadied her. “That’s right, baby. Come for me. Come.”

The climaxes kept coming and coming. His hips gyrated harder up into her.

“Harper, so many, God…God, yes!”

“Yeah, baby. I’m going to come.” He thrust up into her faster. “Yes, yes, baby.”

As he spilled into her, her orgasms slowed. She fell forward onto his chest, their perspiration mingling into a scent of musky completion. She inhaled against his neck. Mmm. Their own special aroma. Perfect.

“Oh, baby,” he growled. “That was amazing.”

She nodded against his neck. Couldn’t bring herself to speak yet.

“Amber.”

She drew all her strength and sent it to her vocal cords. “Hmm?”

“Stay with me. Spend the night.”

She snuggled against him, already half-asleep.

Chapter Eleven


R
ise and shine
.” Harper’s voice cut through Amber’s dream of lovemaking.

She opened her eyes. “Hey. What time is it?”

“Six. I gotta get moving. Ranches don’t run themselves.”

“Yeah. I’m working today too. My first client’s at eight, so I need to go.”

“Time for breakfast?”

“I wish I could. I have to get home and shower and change.”

He grinned. “You could shower here.”

She could…

Images of Harper’s manly body covered in droplets of warm water enticed her, but… “Ha. Then I’d never leave. But I’ll take a rain check on the shower.”

“I’ll hold you to that. Do you have time for a quick cup of coffee?”

“Only if it’s to go. Sorry.”

“Okay. I’ll get you one.” He leaned down and gave her a light kiss on the lips. “Last night was wonderful, baby. Thank you.”

Thank you?
No man had ever thanked her for sex before. Should she thank him back?

“Um…you’re welcome?”

He chuckled. “You are priceless, Amber. I never would have thought you were my type, but damn, I love being with you.”

Not his type? Was that an insult? “What do you mean by that?”

“Just…you’re not like the country girls I grew up with. You’re more sophisticated. You look different. You act different. I mean, I always thought you were beautiful. I just had no idea I’d like you so much.”

He hadn’t hedged for words, thank God. “So that was a compliment then?”

He laughed again. “Of course it was.”

“Good. ’Cause I like you too. And last night was amazing for me as well.” She got up and started collecting her clothes.

“I’ll get your coffee, baby. Meet me down in the kitchen.”


A
ngie
, when are you and Rafe going back to the slope?”

“Tomorrow. Why?”

Amber sighed as she clipped the cuticles on Angie’s right hand. “I need to talk to someone.”

“I’ve got all day today. I want to go see Violet this afternoon, but other than that I’m free.”

“I’ve got a full schedule today,” Amber said. “Can we have dinner?”

“Sure. Why don’t Rafe and I meet you at the Blue Bird?”

She exhaled a long breath. “Well…I was kind of hoping we could talk alone. Nothing against Rafe but—”

“Girl talk?”

She had no idea. “Yeah, something like that.”

“How about lunch?”

“I can’t take lunch. I’m booked through. Please? It’s important.”

“Of course. Rafe’ll understand. The Blue Bird?”

“My place, actually. I need privacy.”

Angie’s hand stiffened under Amber’s ministrations. “Amber? What on earth is going on?”

Amber looked down, unable to meet her friend’s gaze. Would Angie believe her? Would she understand? Angie had her own skeletons, so she was Amber’s safest bet. Catie was busy with the new baby, and Judy was her boss, for goodness’ sake. She wasn’t that close to anyone else yet, at least not enough to trust with this. “I’ll tell you tonight. God, I really need to talk to someone.”

“Okay. Tonight at your place. You’re obviously distraught. I’ll get take out from the Blue Bird and bring it over. Say six?”

“Six thirty.”


N
o offense
, Amber, but you look like hell.”

Amber held her door open and Angie walked in, carrying a takeout bag from the Blue Bird and a bottle of wine. “Good to see you too, Ang.”

Angie made herself at home in Amber’s small abode, setting food on the table and grabbing two plates out of the cupboard. “Come on and sit. There’s obviously something you need to spill. Where’s your corkscrew?”

“Top drawer.” Amber plunked down at the table and thunked her head on the hard surface. “God, where to start?”

A soft pop met her ears—the wine cork.

“I can’t hear you when you’re talking into the table, hon.”

She lifted her head and sighed.

“So does this have to do with my brother?” Angie poured two glasses of wine.

Harper? He was the least of her worries, except he’d want nothing to do with her when he found out the other issues she was dealing with. Amber shook her head. “No. I mean, not really.”

“Seems you two are getting along pretty well.”

“We are. I’m surprised, to be honest.”

Angie laughed. “So is he. Never in a million years did he think you were his type.”

So she’d heard. “Have you talked to him about us?”

“Not really. He just said he likes you a lot and he’s looking forward to seeing where it goes.”

She nodded. She felt the same. He knew more about her than she’d let on to anyone so far in Bakersville, and he wasn’t judging her. Course the relationship wouldn’t go much further if she couldn’t keep Blake Buchanan at bay.

Stripping at Rachel’s was one thing. Pornographic photos on the net were something else entirely.

“I like him too.” She sighed. “A lot.” Big understatement.

Angie took a sip of wine and began to take the cartons out of the Blue Bird sack. “So what’s the problem then?”

“With Harper? There is none.” At least not yet.

“Okay. What else is going on? There’s a new guy in your life. You should be shining like the sun. Instead you look like you’ve been reincarnated as a rag.”

She couldn’t crack a smile. “Damn, Angie. You cut right to the chase, don’t you?”

“I try.”

Amber let out a controlled breath.
Here goes nothing.
“I haven’t told you much about my life in San Antonio.”

“No, you haven’t. Every time I’ve asked you’ve changed the subject.”

“You’re right, and I’m sorry. It’s not a time in my life I like to talk about. Or even think about for that matter.”

“Well, you did tell me about your two one-night stands.” She winked.

True, she had. About seven months ago, before Angie and Rafe had hooked up. Angie had said she needed some sex, and Amber had suggested a one-night stand. Who would’ve thought two one-night stands would turn out to be the tamest things she’d done in San Antonio?

Amber picked up her wine glass and took a long sip. “I guess it’s best to start at the beginning.”

For the next hour, she poured out her whole sordid story, beginning with being kicked out of Karen’s house to leaving San Antonio.

Angie listened with rapt attention, her green eyes wide. “And Harp knows all of this?”

“All of what I’ve told you so far.”

Angie smiled and patted Amber’s forearm. “My brother’s a good man.”

Her friend’s touch soothed her…but only a little. “That he is.”

“If he’s okay with all of this, why are you so upset?”

Those same icy fingers gripped the back of her neck. “Because I haven’t told you everything yet. I’ve only told what…what I remember.”

“Sorry, babe. Not following here.”

“Oh God.” She pushed her wine glass ahead of her. “Is there any more?”

“Yeah.” Angie poured another glass. “I’ve never seen you drink more than two drinks.”

“This is only my second.”

“I know. I’m just saying.”

Amber took a sip. It was a nice red, kind of spicy. She’d hoped to learn more about wine from Harper. She’d hoped for so much…

“You know that guy who used to work for Chad? Blake Buchanan?”

“Yeah.”

“You’ve lived here most of your life. You already know the story about him and the librarian.”

Angie nodded. “Heck, that’s old news. Evie’s over it. I thought the whole town was.”

“Maybe they are. I don’t know.”

“He seems like a nice enough guy to me.”

Amber widened her eyes. Seriously? Angie couldn’t see through the jerk? She was as blind as Catie. “He’s not a nice guy, Ang.”

“Oh? Why do you say that?”

Amber swallowed the lump in her throat. “He’s blackmailing me.”

Angie nearly spat wine across the table. “Say what?”

“Did I stutter? He’s blackmailing me.”

“How?”

“Turns out he was in San Antonio for a while, and he remembers me from Rachel’s.”

“So what? If Harper knows, and I know, and we’re fine with that, what makes you think everyone else won’t be fine with it?”

“I’m rodeo queen, for one thing. Hardly a job for a stripper.” She clutched the stem of her goblet. “But that’s not the issue.”

“What is, then?”

Amber gulped down the last of her wine.
Damn.
She’d met her two drink max. She could use another.

She swallowed, her tummy fluttering. Angie was her friend. She would understand. Wouldn’t she?

She cleared her throat. “Blake Buchanan came by yesterday with some photos on the Internet.”

“Photos of you?”

She nodded. “They were definitely me. Thing is, I have no memory of posing for them at all. I found my roommate Laura on the web site too, and I know she’d never pose either.”

“Nude photos?”

She had no idea. “Yeah. More than just nude photos. I’m doing things in them.”

Angie’s eyes widened. “You’re doing…
it?

“Not
it
, in the literal sense, but pretty much everything but.”

Angie paused. A long pause. Then, “But how? If you don’t remember… I don’t understand, Amber.”

“Neither did I at first, but I’m pretty sure I was drugged. I seriously have no memory of the whole thing.”

“What web site is it?”

“It’s an expensive paid web site for Rachel’s patrons, as far as I can tell.”

“Do you have the URL?”

“No. He didn’t give it to me, and I didn’t think to ask for it.” Why hadn’t she gotten the damn URL? “I wasn’t thinking at all. This came at me from left field.”

“I understand. Do you have any idea how this happened?”

“I have a hunch. There was a woman at Rachel’s—her name was Marta. She was kind of our mother hen. One night she invited Laura and me to her place. We got to drinking…and I blacked out. I’ve only been drunk twice in my life. The other was when I had the first one-night stand that I told you about. Anyway, I recognized the bed at her place from the photos.”

“You think you were drugged?”

“I can’t see any other explanation. I was obviously awake in the pictures. Something had to make me forget. I assumed I was drunk and I blacked out. Now I’m not so sure.”

“Something to induce amnesia—”

“Exactly.”

“Like the date rape drug, maybe?”

“Maybe. I have no idea. Do I look like I have a clue about drugs? I never did any of them. Hell, even if I’d wanted to, I couldn’t afford them.”

Angie squeezed her forearm. “Honey, I know. I’m not accusing you of doing drugs.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize.”

Amber choked out a sob. “Blake wants twenty grand in a week or he goes public with the photos.”

Angie raised her eyebrows. “Twenty grand?”

“Yes. I told him there’s no way I can get it, but he says that’s not his problem.”

“Well, there’s no problem.” Angie patted her arm. “I’ll give you the money.”

Amber sighed. What a wonderful friend. “Angie, that’s not why I wanted to talk to you.”

“I know that, honey. I know that. But you need help, and I have the means to help you.”

“But don’t you see? If we give him the money, he’ll just keep holding the photos over my head. When he needs more money, guess where he’ll go? And in the meantime my photos are on the Internet! Without my permission. Hell, without my knowledge!”

Angie scooted her chair closer and wrapped her arms around Amber in a tight hug. “We’ll figure this out, I promise.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I want you to listen to me. There’s someone who can help you.”

“Who?”

Angie let out an exhale. “You won’t like it.”

“I’ll try anything at this point.”

“Harper. You have to tell Harper.”

BOOK: Treasuring Amber: The Temptation Saga: Book Five
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