Triple Threat (8 page)

Nick fought for control of his own ragged breathing. “Maybe we should...”

Holly surprised him by grabbing the collar of his jacket and dragging him back to her. “Too much talking. Not enough kissing.” She slid her arms around his neck and tangled her fingers in the hair at his nape, pressing her hot body against his and pulling his head down even farther so her lips could reach his. She kissed him wildly, thrusting her tongue against his and tilting her hips to bring her warm, wet center in contact with the zipper straining to hold back his cock.

Groaning, he broke off this kiss, thinking it would slow her down so he could prolong both their pleasure. But slowing down didn’t seem to be part of her game plan. Instead, she let her mouth drift to his neck, leaving a trail of kisses and tender bites from his chin to the base of his throat.

“Damn, I want you,” he growled.

“So I see,” she teased, rubbing against the bulge in his jeans. “Do you plan to do anything about it?”

“Hell, yes.”

He lifted her up, cupping her bottom. Still pressed against the brick wall, she wrapped her legs around him and ran her fingers through his hair.

“Nick...” She sighed, grinding against him. “More.”

She didn’t have to ask twice. Following her lead, he tasted her soft earlobe then moved his mouth slowly down her neck, nibbling lightly. With one hand he released the top button of her blouse, then another, revealing just a hint of her lacy baby-blue bra. His lips followed, the stubble of his beard scraping the sensitive skin between her breasts and making her moan.

It was crazy, what they were doing. Outside, in public, at barely eleven o’clock. When anyone could come along. He was long past caring, though, and, thankfully, so was she.

He freed one more button, running the tip of his tongue deep into her cleavage. She whimpered as he undid the front clasp of her bra with his teeth, releasing her pale breasts, two perfect handfuls topped by pert, rosy nipples begging to be sucked. He looked up at her, her head thrown back, eyes wide, hair mussed. Her mouth was open, her lips full and moist. She’d been transformed into a wild, wanton goddess, and he had to have her. Now.

He drew one nipple into his mouth, rolling the taut bud with his tongue. She tasted like cinnamon and sugar and warm, soft woman. He dragged his mouth across her chest to savor the other nipple. A strange humming sensation built inside him as he sucked and licked like a starving man at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

“Nick.”

“Mmm.” The humming intensified, spreading throughout his chest.

“Your phone.”

He reluctantly let go of her breast and lifted his head. “Huh?”

“Your phone. It’s buzzing.”

He set her down and reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out his cell. A message flashed that he had one new text. Without even bothering to read it, he turned the phone off and put it back in his pocket.

“Aren’t you going to...”

“No.”

“But what if it’s Ethan or Ted or Judith...” With trembling fingers, she struggled to fasten her bra. “Maybe this was a bad idea.”

She was freaking out. That was okay. He’d been about to take her against a brick wall. He wrapped her delicate hands in his own, the heat between them making him sweat. “You said you wanted one night, right?”

“I think we both know why it can’t be anything more than that.”

Yeah, he knew. His career on the other coast. The fame. His shitty childhood and resulting commitment phobia. It all made him a terrible candidate for a long-term relationship. So why was he so reluctant to agree with her?

“Then you’ve got it,” he said after a long moment, swallowing his doubts. He moved her hands aside and fastened first her bra then the buttons on her blouse. “One night. You and me. No interruptions.”

He’d barely finished speaking when something chimed in her messenger bag, which had fallen to the ground at her feet during their free-for-all. Wordlessly, she picked it up and retrieved her cell phone.

“No interruptions,” she echoed, meeting his gaze. With a flourish, she held down the end-call button and dropped the phone back into her bag.

* * *

“
I
’LL GET US
a cab.” Nick strode toward the street, leaving Holly to finish putting herself back together.

As if on cue, a cab turned the corner, its top light on to show that it was available. The man really did lead a charmed life. Putting two fingers in his mouth, he let loose a shrill whistle, and the cab pulled to the curb. “If I’ve only got one night with you, I’m going to make it count.”

Only
one night? What was he trying to say? Did he want more than one night? With her?

Oh, she knew he wanted her. She’d felt the proof of that in the alley. But for more than one night? No way. He’d be history once they’d scratched the irresistible itch that was pulling them together. He’d admitted as much earlier when he told her he’d be heading back to L.A. now that the play was no go.

But that didn’t mean she was going to give up her chance at a night of mad passion under Nick’s skilled hands—hands that could wipe away some of the sting of the wounds Clark had left, inside and out.

“Trust me?”

She hesitated, knowing this was her last chance to back out. She hitched her bag up on her shoulder and put her hand in his. “Let’s go.”

He opened the rear door and helped her inside. “Plaza Hotel.”

She eyed him, brows raised. “We’re putting you up at the Plaza?”

“No,” he said, laughing softly. “I bought one of the condo suites a few months ago. I had some renovations done, and it wasn’t ready for me to move in until last week.”

He dropped an arm over her shoulders and scooted her closer to him. “You’ll be my first guest.” His breath was warm and smelled of whiskey, stirring the hair around her ear. “It’s got a king-size bed. A whirlpool bath that fits two. I think I’ve even got a pint of Ben & Jerry’s in the freezer.”

“What girl could say no to Ben and Jerry?”

“And here I thought it was me you couldn’t say no to.” He squeezed between her neck and shoulder and she melted, unable to move. With one finger he pushed aside the collar of her blouse and bent his head to kiss the newly exposed skin. He licked the same spot, trailing his tongue up her neck to her ear. “Can you, Holly? Say no to me?”

Her head fell back and she swayed into him. “Um,” she said dazedly. There were no words.

He peppered hot, wet kisses along her jawline. “Now,
that’s
what I like to hear.”

“Nick,” she hissed when his lips traveled down her neck toward the valley between her breasts. “The cabbie.”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. It’s New York. He’s seen it all.” His free hand moved to the inside of her thigh and pushed her legs apart. “Besides, he’s not paying any attention to us.”

“I... Oh.” A moan escaped her parted lips when his wayward hand journeyed higher to stroke her through her sopping-wet jeans.

“Shh,” he warned, bringing his mouth to hers. “You don’t want him to hear you, do you?”

“No, but...” He ground the heel of his hand against her and she moaned louder.

“You leave me no choice,” he murmured against her lips. “Got to keep you quiet somehow.”

He planted his mouth on hers, instantly hot and demanding. She arched her back and ran a hand up his chest, clutching the fabric of his T-shirt as if it were an anchor that could stop her from drifting away on a wave of sheer sensuality.

They stayed locked together until he raised his head, making her whimper in protest. “It’s okay, babe. We’re here.”

The cab slowed to a stop and Holly looked up to see the famous facade of the Plaza.

“That’ll be twenty bucks, Mr. Damone.” The cabbie turned and gave a little cough. “And, uh, can I have your autograph? For my wife. She’s a big fan.”

“Sure.” Nick scrawled his signature on a napkin the cabbie gave him, handing it back along with the fare and what looked to be a sizable tip. Then he grabbed Holly’s messenger bag and helped her out. She hummed with happy anticipation, her stomach quivering with sudden nerves as they crossed the palatial lobby. She barely registered the smiling doorman, the gold-leaf ceiling, the marble floor, on their way to the elevator.

“Come here.” Nick reached for her again the second the doors slid shut. She went willingly into his arms, tilting her chin up and offering her lips. He accepted, lifting her up and devouring her mouth in a hot, hungry kiss.

Ding.

“Saved by the bell.” The elevator jerked to a stop and Nick relaxed his hold, letting her slide down his body. She felt every ridge and curve of him, making her already pounding heart race even faster. With one arm wrapped possessively around her waist, he led her out of the elevator and down the hall to his door. He fumbled with the key and she smiled, relieved she wasn’t the only one on edge. Finally, the door swung open and he ushered her inside, tossing off his jacket and flipping on lights as they went.

The place was like something out of a fairy tale, with plush carpeting, a marble fireplace and intricately carved furniture, all done in discreet, muted tones. Framed photographs of sunrises and sunsets added splashes of color. Through an open doorway she could see half of what appeared to be an enormous bed, topped by an elaborate headboard and covered by a brilliantly white duvet and matching pillows.

“Ice cream’s in the butler’s pantry.” Nick came up behind her, one hand caressing her backside and his mouth on her neck. His lips were warm and wet against her skin. With his other hand he reached around to cup her breast. “If you’re still hungry.”

“I’m hungry,” she said, leaning back into him. She could feel his erection, hot and hard, nestled in the space between her buttocks. “But not for Ben. Or Jerry.”

In one fluid movement, he turned her in his arms and picked her up, cradling her to his chest. With long, purposeful strides, he carried her to the bedroom. If she thought she was in a fantasy before, now she was convinced. It was every sex dream she’d ever sweated through and twisted awake from with disappointment. Except she wasn’t dreaming now, and she wasn’t disappointed.

He paused just inside the door and groped for the light switch. Holly grabbed his wrist, stopping him. “No, please,” she whispered. In the dark he wouldn’t see the scars left by Clark’s belt. She could tell herself all she wanted they were just something she’d gone through, scars from an emotional car wreck, but she wasn’t ready to go there yet. Letting herself touch and be touched was a big enough step for now. “It’s been a while since I’ve...been with anyone. I’d feel more comfortable if we left the lights off.”

“How about a compromise.” He slid the dimmer switch up a notch, bathing the room in a soft, blue-gray light. “As for the rest...” He moved his hand up to her cheek and brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She could almost hear the smile in his voice. “I guess we’ll just have to feel our way through.”

She shook at the thought of feeling her way across his toned torso, down the hills and valleys of his abs and into the hollows where his hips met his pelvis. “That sounds...nice.”

“
Nice
doesn’t even begin to describe what we’re going to do to each other, sweetheart.” He crossed the room to the bed, letting her slide to her feet along his solid, muscular frame. One arm snaked around her back and molded her to him. The other hand still cradled her cheek, forcing her to look at him as he spoke, his voice husky. “I plan to explore every inch of your gorgeous body, from those perfect, pouty lips to the tips of your pretty little toes. I’m going to touch and kiss and nibble and lick you all over until you’re begging me to let you come. And then, I’m going to start all over again.”

Oh. My. God.
Her body thrummed with sexual energy. No one had ever talked to her like this, so erotic. No one had ever wanted her like this, so openly. She felt like ice cream in a hot-fudge sundae, melting and dripping under the warm chocolate.

“And because I’m a fair-minded kind of guy,” he continued, his lips moving closer to hers, “my body’s yours for the taking, too. Nibble and lick wherever you like. As much as you like.”

She sagged against him, every nerve ending screaming to be touched next.

“You okay?”

Voiceless, she could only nod.

“Good.” His lips edged closer. “Because I’m going to explode if I have to wait one more minute to do this.”

The hand on her cheek slid to cradle the back of her neck, holding her captive as his lips met hers in a kiss that stole her breath. His tongue darted out to stroke hers and she moaned into his mouth, relishing the taste and feel of him. Pulling away slightly, he gently sucked first her upper lip, then her lower one, giving each a little nip before releasing it. Then it was her turn to nibble at his mouth, her tongue skating across his lips until they were both flushed and panting.

“Time for bed,” he said with a growl, backing her into the mattress.

She fell with a squeal onto the soft duvet, loving the way it enveloped her. He stretched out beside her, their bodies touching from hip to toe, his head propped up by one hand. The other lingered over the waistband of her jeans.

“Tell me what you want.”

His words, hoarse and quietly demanding, had her insides doing somersaults and her brain working overtime. What
did
she want? She’d never really thought about that before. Her admittedly limited sexual experience had been mostly about the guy getting off, not her own pleasure. It had certainly been that way with Clark. And the only orgasms she’d had in recent memory were self-induced.

“Talk to me, Holly.” The hand over her waistband traveled across her body, gently kneading her hip. “I want to make you feel good.”

“I...I do feel good,” she gasped.

“Then I want to make you feel even better.” He wedged one leg in between hers and she couldn’t help but clamp her own legs around him.

Sighing, she rubbed against his tight, muscular thigh. “I’m not sure that’s possible.”

“It’s possible.” He freed the top two buttons of her blouse and pulled it off her shoulders. Her bra straps followed, pinning her upper arms to her body. “Let me show you.” With one finger he ran a languorous trail from her chin down her neck to the valley between her breasts.