Creative License (7 page)

He reached with one fingertip and touched a darkened nipple, wonder in his eyes. A surge of heat warmed her pussy. She wanted him again. He made her feel wanted, desirable. With Caleb, every inhibition fell away. Her gaze fell to his erection. He was beautiful, long and thick and growing under her gaze. Sitting on the couch, she gently kissed one hip and then another, her hair brushing Caleb’s skin. She wanted to taste him, to feel the length of him in her mouth. At the touch of her lips, his cock twitched. Lily smiled and ran one finger down his rigid erection and then kissed the tip. She tasted pre-come and a surge of feminine power filled her breast.

The musky scent of desire filled the air. Caleb shuddered as Lily took him in her mouth, the skin satin-soft against her lips. She gently squeezed his rock-hard shaft as she moved to lick its head. Caleb growled deep in his throat before she sucked him deep into her mouth again, the head of his penis brushing the back of her throat. He gasped.

Lily reached down to stroke his balls, soft but tightening under her touch. With every stroke, she relaxed the muscles of her throat and took him deeper, suddenly eager to feel him explode in her mouth. To give him the same pleasure he’d given her. She glanced up. He watched her, and his gaze sent electrical sparks to every cell in her body. Caleb laid a hand on her shoulder, his touch gentle. “I want inside you.”

A tremor started in her core to vibrate through her body. She kissed the tip of his cock and then licked the moisture. His laugh was low and throaty. “If you do that again, I won’t last.”

Lily kissed his rock-hard belly and then found herself back on the couch, Caleb hovering over her. He retrieved the packet and rolled the condom onto his hard cock. “Thank God for Monique.”

She reached up and touched his cheek. With a sudden thrust, he buried himself deep inside her, stretching her walls and filling her to completion. An orgasm built, startling in its intensity. She wrapped her legs around his back, tilting her hips so he could go deeper. Running her hands down the muscles of his back, she reached down to grasp his ass, feeling it flex with each thrust. He angled his hips and hit her g-spot. She cried out and the orgasm washed over her in never-ending waves.

Caleb’s body rippled as her walls spasmed around his cock. He called her name as he buried himself deep, finding his own release. His ragged breath sounded loud in her ear. She ran her hand over his back, now slick with sweat and pulled him against her as he tried to hold his weight on his elbows. “I want to feel you.”

Caleb’s cock twitched still deep inside of her. “I’ll hurt you.”

“Let me be the judge of that, please.”

He settled down over her and she pulled him close, wrapping her thighs around his legs, feeling every contour of his body against hers, his cock still buried deep inside her. She hadn’t just dreamed it. It had been like this in Vegas too. This was the kind of sex people fought wars over and waxed poetic about. She breathed in deep the musky scent of passion and Caleb’s fragrance, and knew that this moment would be forever imprinted on her mind.

Caleb leaned to the side, almost fell off the couch and then balanced. Lily’s laughter bubbled up and spilled over.

“Don’t laugh, we’re still connected. I would have taken you with me.”

Caleb brushed the hair from her eyes and smiled, his gaze soft and happy. Happy? She closed her eyes. Yes. She was happy too. Contented like a sated kitten. She even felt like purring. On impulse she did.

Caleb laughed. “That good huh?’

Lily smiled.

“I like it when you purr.”

“Then it’s good you know how to make me feel like purring.”

“You’re beautiful with your hair tousled around your face and your makeup smudged.”

“Are you going to tell me you want to paint me again? You do realize you don’t have to use corny pick-up lines on me? I’ve already had sex with you. Hell, I already married you.”

Caleb’s smile faded. “I don’t bring women here, Lily.”

“You don’t have to tell me that. No strings, no promises. Grown-up sex, remember?” But she couldn’t help the surge of satisfaction. He’d shared something unique with her.

“I remember. But I wanted you to know.”

Lily swallowed, suddenly uncomfortable with the tenderness, the intimacy between them. “Now where is that coffee? I could use a cup about now.”

Chapter Six

Lily hooked her leg over Caleb’s bare thigh as she sat down next to him on the couch, luxuriating in the feel of his skin next to hers. Her leg looked pale against his darker skin. She glanced at the clothes scattered across the floor, surprised she hadn’t rushed to put them back on. She felt comfortable with Caleb. Sitting naked with him felt natural. Right. She refused to question it and simply enjoyed the feel of his hard body next to hers.

She cuddled into his chest. The arm he’d thrown casually around her shoulders tightened and his fingers lazily stroked her skin. The occasional sound of traffic filtered from the street below, but in the loft, it was quiet. Lily had the sudden urge to giggle. She’d just had the best sex of her life, well that she could remember anyway, and she was in an art studio in San Francisco cuddling with a very sexy naked man and drinking coffee. Her friends wouldn’t believe it of her if she told them. Not that she would. This weekend was special. A honeymoon before the divorce.

She shifted her leg, loving the feel of coarse hair against her sensitive skin, but hating the drift her thoughts had taken. Lily sipped the dark brew Caleb had made. “I have a question.”

Caleb’s fingers paused stroking the skin of her shoulder. “Just one?”

A tremor of need shot through her body as his voice rumbled through his chest. She half-turned to look at him. “For now.” She leaned forward to set down her mug on the coffee table and turned to face Caleb, tracing one buff-colored nipple and watching it harden on his muscled chest. “How did you know how I liked my coffee?”

Caleb chuckled. “I watched you make it this morning.”

He pulled her onto his lap and she snuggled into his arms, breathing in the rich scent of coffee and man mingled with the heady musk of sex. Closing her eyes, she thought she’d never been so content.
Don’t get any crazy ideas, Lily. That’s what several good orgasms will do for you.
Her head fit under his jaw and she could feel him harden and lengthen beneath her. She shivered.

“Are you cold?” He slowly stroked the skin on the back of her arms with his fingertips.

“Not at all.”

He nibbled her neck.

“Caleb?”

A low groan in his throat sent chills over her entire body.

“More questions?”

She pulled back to look at his face. “No. I just wanted to say that you are very talented.”

Caleb froze but his eyes widened before he smiled. “You have no idea.” He pushed her down on the couch and kissed her neck. His erection pressed into her thigh, needy.

Desire instantly flooded her body, leaving her wet and ready. “I meant your work, your painting. It’s very good.” Lily laughed.

Balancing his weight on his elbows, he stared into her eyes, his gaze open and sincere. “Thank you, sweetheart. That means a lot to me.”

Oh God, she could fall hard for this man. She closed her eyes. No, that wasn’t in the plan. She had a life, a future waiting for her. Everything she ever wanted. But was that what she wanted now?

Her connection, her attraction to Caleb was physical, hormones. They had fire, passion but nothing else in common.

Lily opened her eyes. Caleb was still gazing at her and a surge of moisture dampened the curls between her legs. She wanted him again.

He suddenly smiled, dimples creasing the tanned cheeks. “But let’s talk about my other talents, shall we?” He kissed just under her jaw and then licked up to her ear to take the lobe between his teeth.

Reaching down, Lily grasped his firm ass. While she was here, she’d indulge herself, get as much of him as she could, give as much as she could and then, on Sunday, she’d go back to her real life. She leaned forward and captured his mouth in hers and wrapped her legs around his waist. The kiss deepened, stealing her thoughts, leaving only her need to get closer to Caleb, to get him closer, inside of her. He cupped her ass and spread his fingers, teasing her sensitive flesh.

They both froze as footsteps sounded on the stairs outside the door. Lily glanced at Caleb. He shrugged, but rolled off the couch, grabbing his jeans and throwing her his shirt. Even in the panic of the moment, Lily had to appreciate the perfection of Caleb’s body and then laughed as he winced trying to zip his jeans over his erection.

She’d pulled the shirt over her head when the door opened and a woman with mahogany skin and short, curly, dark hair walked in. The woman froze in the process of shutting the door while she took in the scene and then closed it and turned. “Caleb…” She smiled and glanced at Lily. “Oh. I’m sorry.” Startling blue eyes rimmed in black sparkled. “Is this a private party or can anyone join?”

Lily fought to control the heat that flushed her skin and failed. She glanced at Caleb but he only chuckled.

“You know I don’t share. Monique. Meet Lily. Lily, Monique.”

“Yes, so you’ve said. Such a pity.” Monique tilted her head and unabashedly examined Lily, a smile playing on her mouth. “A real pity.”

Tugging at the hem of Caleb’s T-shirt to deny Monique a show, Lily stood and stepped forward to offer her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Not as nice as it is to meet you.” Monique raised a pierced eyebrow and glanced from Lily to Caleb.

“I didn’t realize you’d be back,” Caleb said.

Monique shrugged. “I came home early. My mother can be… well… Do I smell coffee?”

“Yeah, help yourself.” Caleb glanced at Lily, offered a half smile and mouthed the word, “Sorry.”

Lily collected her clothes and headed toward the bathroom.

“You don’t have to stop on my account you know,” Monique said. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you in action.” She winked at Caleb. “Either of you. Might fuel my creative process.”

Taking a deep breath, Lily turned and smiled. “I don’t share either.” She hurried into the bathroom to the sound of Monique’s laughter.

When she returned, Caleb sat on the couch deep in conversation with Monique. Lily threw Caleb his shirt. He caught it and smiled. “Your coffee is cold. Monique made some espresso. Want some?”

“Um, no thanks.” Lily leaned against the counter. Caleb had said he didn’t bring women to the studio but Monique and he were both so casual about it when she couldn’t help but be mortified. She took another deep breath. She wasn’t here to interfere with Caleb’s life any more than she’d let him interfere with hers once she returned to Boston. “Caleb, I’m going to do some shopping. I’ll meet you at the apartment later?”

Caleb rose to his feet. “No. I’ll come with you.”

“Give the woman some space, Caleb. I didn’t think you’d be the smothering type.” Monique’s red lips turned up at the corners.

“No, really. I just have to pick up a few things. It won’t take long.” Lily assured him. “I’ll be back at the apartment in time for dinner.”

Caleb ran a hand through his blond tresses. “You know where you’re going, how to get home?”

Lily laughed. “Caleb, I’ve traveled around the world. I think I can manage San Francisco. I have your address. I’ll be fine.” She turned and headed toward the metal door.

As soon as the door shut, Monique turned to Caleb. “My God, man, she’s adorable. Where did you find her? Never mind. Dinner? Back at the apartment? Spill it, Anderson. With the one God awful exception, you’ve been flying solo too long. Not that I’m objecting to you getting a little action, and now that I think about it, what’s with the worried alpha male thing?”

Caleb rubbed his temples. “It’s a long story.”

Monique shrugged and pulled one dark curl straight before releasing it to join the others. “I got time. And apparently, so do you. At least until the little woman calls, then I have a feeling you’d go a running.” She smiled, revealing white even teeth.

“It’s not like that. Lily is just here for a few days.” He glanced at his friend and then shrugged. Sometimes honesty was just easier. “I met her in Vegas a few years ago. We, um, got married and I thought we had the marriage annulled but turned out some clerk didn’t file the paperwork.”

Monique laughed. Her tongue piercing caught the light. “So you’re married. That’s your wife. Damn, man. She’s a hot little number, but she doesn’t seem your type, you know?”

Caleb closed his eyes and leaned into the couch. “You of all people should know not to judge a book by its cover. Yeah, she’s cultured and restrained on the exterior, but underneath there is this passionate woman, this free spirit, fluttering to get free.” He opened his eyes.

“Oh shit, you sound like a fucking Hallmark card.” Monique drained her espresso and moved to rinse the cup in the sink. “So why’s she here? You two gonna try and make it work?”

Caleb shook his head. “Mrs. P found out I was married. Wanted to meet my wife. In a moment of panic, I told her that Lily worked in Boston, which is true. Mrs. P wanted to meet her. You don’t say no to Mrs. P.”

“So you called Lily and
she
came running?” Monique’s eyebrow disappeared beneath the short ringlets framing her face.

“It’s not like that. She’s doing me a favor.”

“That was some favor she was doing when I walked in.”

Caleb shook his head.

“Holy fuck, Caleb. Don’t tell me you’re in love with her.”

“I won’t tell you that. It’s not true.”

Monique set the cup down on the table. “Shit, buddy. You’re in deep.”

Caleb stared out the window and watched as dark clouds swirled against the pale grey sky. “I’m not in anything, Mo. She’s leaving in two days.”

Chapter Seven

The scent of tomatoes and garlic brushed by him in a gust of warmed air as Caleb opened his apartment door. “Lily?” He walked into the kitchen to find Lily removing bread from the oven.

“Perfect timing.” She grinned, set down the tray of bread and stirred a steaming pot with a long wooden spoon.

Caleb watched in wonder. He couldn’t remember the last time someone, besides his mother, had cooked for him. He sniffed at the red sauce bubbling in the pot. “Smells wonderful.”