Making the Grade (8 page)

“How about a peace pipe? Would you smoke it?”

She laughed, entertained by the frustration in his tone. “Hmm. I wonder if I could fit my lips around it.”

“Fuck. Don’t tease,” he rasped.

“I can’t do that because you’re not taking off your clothes, so you said.” Had she ever had so much fun torturing a guy before?

Brian tilted his head up and grinned at her. “Nope. Not me.” Then he pulled her close and kissed her, giving her what she really wanted. “God, Faith. You’re so fucking sexy.”

“Hmm. You’re not so bad yourself.” She sighed into his mouth, wishing she didn’t have to go in to work tomorrow. “I need to get home.”

“Yeah. You do,” he agreed but continued to sip at her lips. Small kisses and nips that stoked her desire. “I said I wouldn’t take advantage. I won’t, even if it kills me.”

He kissed her again, a deep exploration of her mouth that encouraged her to take as much as give, until they both gasped for breath. Brian cupped her breasts in his hands, and she cried out when he squeezed her nipples.

“That’s it. I love how you respond.” He stroked her down and put his hands on her waist once more. “Now let’s get you home before I forget myself. Think about what you want this weekend. I’ll pick you up from your place at six tomorrow night. Okay?”

She wanted to be with him. No question. Her fantasies and his. No holds barred. With any luck, their first time wasn’t just a fluke, and he—and she—would last more than two seconds before coming again.

“No.”

He stilled.

“Make it eight. I need a chance to get ready and shower first.”

He relaxed. “Right. Now let’s get you home.” He drove her back, and the sexual tension between them remained the entire trip. After she left the car, he rolled down his window and motioned for her to come closer. “You wanted honesty between us. That extends to this weekend. Nothing is out of bounds.”

“Nothing?” She couldn’t imagine what he thought she might like. Or, for that matter, what he secretly desired. “What if I turn you off?”

He snorted. “Not a chance in hell of that happening. And hey, if I suggest something you just can’t get into, we don’t do it. At least we’ll be honest with each other up front. Time to get any kinks or desires out of the way before this goes any further, right?”

He had a point. Something she’d never tried with any other guy before. “You have an interesting way of doing business, Brian.”

He winked. “So I’ve been told.”

She stood back, and he drove away before she could ask what the hell that meant.

Chapter Six

Brian didn’t know what had possessed him to take Faith to the club, but he couldn’t back down now. After all that he’d gone through to get the woman to open up to him, he might as well go for broke. He demanded honesty from his partners, and he’d have to give her the same.

Time to stop dancing around what he really needed in the bedroom. After all, if things weren’t going to work between them, best to know now, before they got in any deeper.

Not sure what she might want, he’d called in a few favors. Rex owed him, and he trusted the guy. No matter what Faith desired, Rex would come through and wouldn’t talk afterward. His best friend was good like that.

The room Brian had taken for the weekend was their most exclusive suite. What was the point of owning a part of the club if he couldn’t get preferential treatment?

As he waited in the expansive room that had been decked out with romance—and sex—in mind, he glanced around, wondering what Faith would think. Rose petals lay strewn over the floor by the fireplace, where a fuzzy rug, a roaring fire and plenty of pillows invited comfort and rolling-around fun.

The king-size bed had wrought-iron spindles, to which restraints had been attached. An antique armoire on the far wall held a bevy of toys, from floggers and whips to dildos and plugs. Different brands of lubricant, some scented, some flavored, had been fully stocked as well. And last but not least, a huge assortment of condoms sat in a drawer he’d already double-checked. Twice.

He blew out a breath, glad Freddy hadn’t said anything about him booking the suite. With any luck, she’d be too busy with her private life to give him crap over what he did with his spare time. Considering she lived a pretty alternative lifestyle, he knew she’d never judge him. Hell, she’d be cheering from the sidelines if he ever admitted he had his share of kinky desires.

He snorted. “Yeah, like that’s going to happen.” Some things a brother never shared with his sister.

He rubbed his erection, loving the feel of silk over him. He’d worn loose black pants and a white button-down shirt, open at the collar. No underwear to separate him from the soft fabric he wore. Tonight was all about comfort, sensuality, enjoyment. About Faith.

A knock sounded, and his pulse sped up. He crossed and opened the door, pleased to see Faith waiting for him in a long trench coat and heels. His imagination worked overtime, wondering what she wore underneath, if anything.

She’d worn her hair down, and the golden strands teased the fine angles of her face. Her dusky complexion and shiny red lips mesmerized him, as did her gaze. Her eyes looked mysteriously deep, enhanced by the makeup that turned her from the beautiful girl next door to a siren who must have cast a spell over his entire body, heart and soul.

She smiled at him. “Nice threads, Goode.” After walking inside, she paused when he shut the door behind her, then traced a hand over his chest. “Oh, so soft.”

“I liked the way it felt when I put it on.” His entire body sizzled from where Faith had touched him. Christ, but he felt her all the way to his cock, which now refused to stand down. “You going to show me what’s under the coat?”

She shook her head. “Not until we get a few things straight.” To his shock, she stroked down his chest to his pants and gripped him tight. “You’re big, Brian.”

“
Shit.
A little warning next time.” He tried to pretend he wasn’t putty in her hands.

“Here’s your warning. I want what happens tonight to stay between us.” She let him go, and everything in him protested.

“Of course.” Did she think he planned to run out and tell all his friends?

“No matter what you or I want, there will be no judgments.” Her cheeks colored.

His heart warmed at the subtle show of vulnerability. As much as he wanted to take her, he wanted to protect her as well. “I promise.” He took her hand in his and lifted it to his lips. Then he pressed a kiss to the middle of her palm. “Just you and me, Faith. No lies, no games. What we both want.”
I want to learn all about you, exactly what makes you tick.

“Okay then.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she tugged her hand free.

He stepped back, watching as she unbuttoned her way down the coat. Once finished, she unbelted it and let the coat fall from her shoulders to pool on the floor.

He stood there, staring.

The woman wore a black corset, held together in the front with a row of clips, that plumped up her already sizable breasts and made her waist look even smaller. A pair of red panties trimmed with black lace barely covered her mound, and from what he could tell didn’t cover much of her ass either. The heels made her legs look that much longer, adding height that put her an inch or two shorter than him. The perfect height for a kiss.

“You like?” she asked and licked her ruby-red lips.

He said nothing for a moment, wanting to find the right words. When she frowned, no longer showing that hint of vulnerability, he let her see his appreciation with a large grin. “You’re planning to make me suffer tonight. Long, slow torture with your amazing, incredible body.” He sighed. “Please, punish me. All night long.”

She laughed, easing the tension in her frame. “I can’t believe we’re really here doing this. I mean, I still can’t believe this place exists.”

He nodded. “Let me give you the express tour.” He put an arm around her and heard her sharp intake of breath. Delighted their attraction continued to deepen, he led her around, showing her all the fun they could have. “Toys, treats, anything you want, Faith.” He took her into the attached bath, where a deep whirlpool tub and shower promised fun in the water.

They returned to the main room and stopped in front of the fire. She toyed with the buttons of his shirt, releasing each one until she’d parted it to stroke his chest. She lingered over his hard nipples, and her nails scored trails of heat down his abdomen.

“Anything?” she whispered and leaned up to kiss him.

“Anything,” he said, his voice a deep rumble. “I want you to share yourself with me. I don’t just want pieces. I want all of you.” He meant it. He wanted all of her, which meant removing the emotional distance she tried to keep between them.

With a woman like Faith, sex wouldn’t be just physical. He hoped it might help to breach that wall she’d built around herself.

He knew all about distance. He’d built something similar to protect him from demanding, fake women. But those walls had begun to crumble after he’d first laid eyes on Faith. His first warning the woman would be important in his life.

She chewed her lip and glanced at his mouth before returning her gaze to his eyes. “You won’t laugh?”

“Faith.” He kissed her. Then he rubbed her cheek with a finger, feeling how much slighter she was than him, how his hand looked so much bigger against her delicate features. “I promise not to laugh if you won’t.”

She nodded. “I swear I won’t. But, well, would you tell me your fantasy first? Just how kinky are you?”

He chuckled. “Not as out there as you might think. I don’t want another woman. I don’t want another man. Just you. All of you.” He caressed her hips and circled his hands on her ass. “I want to be in every part of you. Your pussy, your ass, your mouth.” He gripped her ass before letting her go. “But I want more than to just fuck you. I want to own you.”

She blinked. “How’s that?”

“My turn on, my great big ‘not normal’ kink, is that I like control.”

“A lot of guys do.”

“Yeah, well, I mean total control. I tell you what to do and you do it. No questions. No sass. I own you in bed. And I really, really like to be called Sir.”

Her eyes grew wide. If he wasn’t mistaken, he’d aroused her. “Oh wow. That is sexy.”

“Yeah?” He smiled. “You think you could make that happen for me? My little slave in bed?”

“Not so little in these heels,” she teased, then sobered. “You don’t want to hurt me or anything, though, do you?”

He shook his head. “I’m not a pain junkie. No blood or beatings. I’m not into the whole BDSM thing. With the popularity of it now, it seems like everyone wants to try it. I just know what I like, and I’ve always had a thing for being in charge.”

“That I can believe.” She seemed relieved.

“I do like playing with toys. And there are so many things I want to do to you. With you.” He stared at her mouth. “In you.”

She quivered. “Oh boy. You’re really turning me on.”

“Good.” He kissed her again, this time not as softly. “What about you?”

She glanced away from him, and he could almost hear her arguing with herself.

“Faith, you lost the bet. Come on, ’fess up.”

She sighed and met his gaze. “I like sex. A lot. But it’s not that easy for me, because… Well, let’s just say I have hang-ups. I’m not sure how I got this way, but…”

“Faith, you have to trust me or tonight won’t work.”

She trembled in his arms. “I want to trust you, Brian.”

“Then do.”

She stared at him, and whatever she saw relaxed her. “I do. You’re not out to use me or lie to me for sex. Hell, I’m already here. And you confessed your fantasy first.”

“Right. So you have leverage. Now tell me what you want. There’s no judgment here. We can be who we want to, and no one has to know.” There was something liberating in that, and Brian knew it was more than just living out a fantasy. It was showing Faith who he really was.

“I’m pretty much the same as you, except I want to be dominated. I want to trust you to take care of me like that. And it makes me feel weird, because I’m a pretty independent woman.”

“Try
very
independent woman.” He brushed her hair behind her ear, and her fingers tightened over his chest, then slid down to grip the waistband of his trousers.

“I—one more thing. I just, there’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but it kind of freaks me out a little.” She grew silent, and he waited. “I guess it’s not that strange, really. Once, when I was a teenager, I was with this guy. I didn’t know his friend was there, watching, until we were hot and heavy. Then I realized we were being spied on, and it was like a huge thrill.”

She watched him, waiting for condemnation, perhaps?

“So you want to be watched, hmm?” He didn’t mind that a bit. Not if it meant others might see him controlling her, adding to his own feeling of empowerment.

“I, ah, guess.”

“Tell me.” He leaned close to nip her lips. “Say it.”

She swallowed. “I want to be watched. I want a man to see me pleasuring you. To watch me go down on you, to make you come.”