Beauty Queen (39 page)

Matt didnt say anything.

Rebeccas gaze blurred; she blinked. And now, she

said, smiling nervously, Ive met you, and I think youre pretty darn wonderful in spite of all the evidence to the contrary

Careful. . .

and I guess Im more afraid than I realized.

Not of me, I hope.

Of. .. not being worth the emotion. And having voiced her fear aloud, she turned her face into his shoulder, ashamed.

Matt wrapped both arms around her, rested his chin atop her head, and together they swayed in the cool night breeze, neither speaking for a long moment.

Thats not something youd ever have to worry about with me, you know, he said quietly. If you think about it. its been pretty emotional between us from the get-go, wouldnt you say?

Rebecca laughed into his shirt. Yes.

I think there could be all the emotion you could ever want, Rebecca. But you might have to let the facade crumble away and just be who you are.

I am who I am! she protested.

Matt instantly shook his head. Nope. The only time I have seen the real Rebecca was when you were drunk. And all it takes is one look at this house to know the level of hiding going on.

What hiding?

Please, like you dont know what Im talking about, you self-help guru, he said with a chuckle. Let me put it this way Ive never known another living soul to alphabetize their canned goods

Oh, that, she sighed. Didnt you notice the color coding, too?

Matt laughed. I think somewhere in that perfect house and in this perfect body is you, maybe not so perfect. Maybe, even, with a couple of healthy imperfections, just dying to get out and breathe.

Astounded by his insight, Rebecca lifted her head and blinked up at him.Thats so true! she admitted woefully. But I dont know how. Ive tried everything!

Not everything, he said, and pulled away from her so that he could see into her eyes. Not. Everything, he muttered again, his eyes all but smoldering in the pale moonlight. Let me help you, Rebecca, he murmured as he brushed a loose strand of hair from her forehead. Well peel some of those layers away and see what lies beneath. He leaned down so that his lips brushed against her ear. Ive seen you come, you know . .. and I think you can do better.

Oh dear God, just knock her over with a feather now, because she thought she could, too, and if he kept it up, she might do it right there. But Matts hand was sliding down her bare arm, to her breast. Rebecca slowly drew her breath. You know you can do better, he whispered. Say it. Say, I want to come... better,

The ground felt like it was shifting beneath her; a damp fog had swept into her head, and she was a slave to his touch. I... I want to come harder, she whispered. Matt.

He made a guttural sound deep in his throat, and in that dangerous fog, Matt took her hand, started for the house. Rebeccas heart was pounding so hard that she couldnt catch her breath, but Matt didnt seem to care. He mounted the porch steps in twos, walked right through the mess of dogs in the kitchen and down the long hallway to her room. Once there, he easily pushed her into the middle of the room, then shut the door and turned around, pressing his back against it and smiling devilishly. The bathroom light was still on; it was just enough light that she could see the hard glint in his eyes as his gaze casually roamed her figure.

Im going to help you really let go, Rebecca ... if you think you can handle it.

Could she? She felt light-headed, almost dizzy. His way with words was intoxicating, and when she nodded, her head felt loose on her shoulders.

Matt smiled. Then take off your shoes.

That was not exactly what she had expected, and giggling, Rebecca looked down at her sandals and kicked them off her feet, across the room.

Matt wasnt laughing. Now let your hair down.

She thought about making a quip, but obediently pulled the band from her hair, letting it fall in silky waves to cover her shoulders.

The smile on Matts lips faded; he just looked at her, taking her in, then said, I want you to light some candles and place them on the nightstands. Then turn off that light.

Yes, sir, she said with a playful salute, then padded over to her dresser, lit several candles, and moved them to the nightstand on either side of her bed. When she had turned off the bathroom light and returned to the middle of the room, Matt put a finger to his lips. Dont talk, he said softly.

Rebecca smiled, mimicked zipping her lips, locking them, and tossing away the key.

Matt slowly pushed away from the door, his arms still folded, and walked toward her. Are you wearing panties?

Of course!

He quickly pressed a finger to her lips and shook his head. Take them off.

She lifted a brow; Matt nodded. With a little laugh, Rebecca managed to push her panties down to mid thigh without actually lifting her dress, then very delicately reached under her hem and pulled them down. As she moved to toss them aside, Matt caught her hand and took them from her.

Now your bra.

Ah

No talking, Rebecca you said you could handle it, didnt you?

She nodded.

He smiled approvingly. Take off your bra.

Her skin felt warm with anticipation: a little shaky, she reached behind her, fumbled over the fabric of her dress with the clasp of her bra for a few seconds while Matt gazed at her breasts, then slipped her arm out of one strap, and the other, and let her bra fall to the floor beneath her dress.

How does it feel? Matt murmured.

Umm .. . good, she said. Free, in a way.

Ah ... good. He seemed pleased; his gaze locked on hers, and he lifted his hand. His fingers danced across her nipple, tweaking it beneath the fabric of her dress, and Rebecca caught her breath. Go ahead, he said low, watching her closely. Take off your dress.

My dress? she asked, awakening from her pleasurable fog. I cant

Why not?

She didnt have a good answer for that.

Are you afraid to expose yourself? To let me see you? he asked as he lifted his hand, traced a soft line from one ear, across her jaw, to the other ear. If you want to stop, well stop. But arent you just the least bit curious to know what she looks like?

Who?

The real Rebecca, he said. Dont you want to know who I see when she will let me? How she appears to me?

Rebecca sharply sucked in her breath and pressed down the strange urge to hit him. Damn him. Damn him! How could he know so much about her that she didnt even know? Yes, she wanted to know what she looked like to him, if he found her attractive, if he found her sexy, if he felt that goddamn fire racing through his veins. She wanted him to see her with his naked body, wanted to feel him, on her, in her, around her. Just thinking about it had made her insanely horny; she could feel that subtle but unmistakable throb of desire and the dampness between her legs.

Are you going to retreat into your fear?

No, goddammit/ To hell with you, she said, and grabbing the hem, she lifted the summer dress over her head, tossed it aside, and stood there before him, naked as a jaybird. Starkly naked.

To her surprise, Matt did not act the least bit smug. In fact, he dropped her panties along with his jaw. And his breathing, she noticed, was getting heavier, like hers. That was empowering, and she unthinkingly stood a little straighter.

Matt drew a long, ragged breath. Turn around.

Rebecca turned slowly, until she was facing him again. His expression was hard; he swallowed, muttered, Touch them. Rebecca hesitated; he lifted his gaze to her eyes. If you cant even touch yourself, how will you feel good about me touching you?

Self-conscious, but nonetheless wanting this, Rebecca put her hands on her breasts, and the moment she saw the light in Matts eye, her self-consciousness slipped away. She gripped herself firmly, squeezing the stiffened nipples between her fingers.

Matt groaned. How do you feel now? What are you thinking?

That I like the way you are looking at me.

I definitely like what I am seeing, he growled, and pulled the polo shirt over his head. He stood before her, admiring her naked body, and remarkably, Rebecca didnt feel ashamed. She felt alive. Without thinking, she reached out and touched his chest, felt the heat of his skin beneath her finger, heard him draw a ragged breath that sent a flame of pleasure licking her groin. She liked this.

Matt stepped closer, but didnt touch her in return, just leaned in so that his lips grazed her temple, and whispered, Lie down.

Lie down?

Yes, lie down on the bed.

Now?

Matt groaned again. Now, he said through gritted teeth.

Rebecca slowly backed away from him, bumped into her bed. This was so different than anything she had ever experienced, so exciting her senses were vibrant, wanting more, wanting it allshe was jazzed.

She sat on the edge of the bed and slowly leaned back until she was lying on it.

Matt walked over to the bed. He stood a moment, gazing down at her. .. and shook his head. Not like that, he softly chided her, touching her knee. Lie back like a woman who wants a man to make love to her.

Yes, yes... She scooted up until her head was on the pillows. She draped one arm above her head, let the other

one fall open at her side, bent one knee over the other. Yes, he breathed. Now close your eyes.

Oooh, this was going to be good. Rebecca closed her eyes, heard Matt moving, heard the drawers of her bureau being opened. Ah, he said, and she heard the drawer shut again, then a moment later, felt Matts weight on the bed, then the silk of something across her eyes as he lifted her head. Stockings, he said as he tied it behind her head. Dont take it off, dont move. I dont want you to see anything. Just feel. Ill be right back.

Be right back? Fear returned with a vengeance. Wait! she called anxiously.

Rebecca. he whispered, his hand touching her cheek and floating to her neck. I adore you, remember? I promise you are safe. Trust me, he murmured soothingly, stroking her arm. And think about what you want me to do to you while Im gone, he said as his fingers skimmed down her belly to the apex of her thighs.

And then he was gone.

Rebecca lay there, her eyes closed and wrapped in one of her stockings, listening to the trees rustling outside, thinking, as Matt had instructed, of what she wanted him to do to her. Delicious things she had always wondered about, imagined occasionally, but never dreamed shed actually experience until now.

Just as quickly as he disappeared, Matt was back: she heard him enter the room, heard the door close softly behind him.

What are you doing? she asked, and jumped, gasping softly at the feel of his hand on her face.

Ssssh, he said. Just lie back and enjoy.

How could she not? She had been stripped clean of all her clothes, was lying, bare-ass, on the top of her bed. There was nothing left to hide, nothing left to do but let him have his way with her. The words sounded terribly decadent in her head, but they felt exhilarating, and she could actually feel her body quivering with anticipation.

She didnt have to wait longthe first flush of cold was on her lips and startled her so badly that she almost choked

on it. But it slid off the side of her mouth, to her neck. And then it was again on her lips, and Rebecca opened her mouth, let it slide in, and smiled, spreading her arms wide on the bed. Rocky road, she said. My favorite.

Matt chuckled above her; and then his lips were on hers, sucking them clean of the ice cream. She waited for the next sweet assault; felt the cool river of it on her chest, followed by Matts mouth and tongue, slowly licking up the rivulets that ran off either side of her, beneath her breasts. When his lips closed around her nipple, Rebecca involuntarily arched into him with a jolt; the resulting tremor reached all the way down to her sex.

He was gone again, and in the next moment, she felt another drizzle of ice cream from her breastbone to her belly button, followed by his tongue, lapping it up, following the trail and dipping into her navel as Rebecca lay there, panting, using her hands to search for him in the dark. She found his chest, his shoulders, trailed her hands down his body, gasping a little when she felt his naked hip.

Dont stop, let yourself go, he whispered, and Rebecca reached around to the patch of wiry hair and his thick erection. Matt moved so that he was beside her, his mouth still on her belly somehow, nipping her, licking up the ice cream, sending another drizzle of delicious cold to simmer in the heat between her legs. Rebecca squealed with the sensation, squeezing him in her hand. His smooth skin felt like silk over marble; she could feel his erection pulsating in her hand, could feel the pearl of moisture at the very tip. And as Matts tongue dipped between her legs, sucking up the ice cream and sending her into another surreal orbit, Rebecca lifted off the bed, groped in the darkness for his face.

Let me, she said, gasping for air. Let me try. Give me the ice cream.

Matt made a sound that was something like a groan and a laugh, but he took her hand, dipped her fingers into the ice cream canister.

Still blindfolded, Rebecca came up on her knees,

scooped a little of it out, and reached into the dark, until she found him. Uncertain as to what part of his body she managed to hit, she leaned forward, ran her tongue along the creamed skin, delighting in the decadence of it, feeling the hard nub of his nipple on her tongue. She laughed, found the container, took more, slowly rubbed it on his body, smiling broadly when she heard Matt groan and felt him fall onto his back.

Something snapped in her then; she could feel the sticky sweetness everywhere, and wasnt certain if it was all ice cream or the swell of her own outrageous desire mixing with it, too. She groped about, her hand fluttering until it found the container, and she scooped more of the melting ice cream, rubbing it into her mouth, then more, which she rubbed on Matt, on his torso, his hips, his penis. She reached forward, her tongue seeking him, finding his erection, drawing it into her mouth and sucking the cream from his skin.

Matt was moving beneath her, restraining himself, she thought. She could feel him hardening in her mouth, could feel his testicles burgeoning in her hand, could taste cream and salt and his body.