Twelve Days of Pleasure (11 page)

“A grapefruit and a grapefruit,” he said, his voice dropping an octave.

Lying back against the carpet Vanessa lifted her buttocks, pushing her shorts and thong off her hips. Kendrick's eyes followed her movements, his gaze moving from her stomach down to the perfectly manicured landing strip between her legs. When she tossed her bottoms aside he looked back to her face.

“Are you sure about this?” he suddenly questioned.

Vanessa nodded her consent. “Are you?”

He nodded with her. Dropping back against her body he kissed her again, his mouth claiming hers eagerly. His hands danced from one end of her torso to the other. His touch was intoxicating and with each stroke and every caress Vanessa felt heady, everything spinning around her. With every pass of his fingers, his mouth followed, his tongue hot and teasing against her skin.

Vanessa pulled the prophylactic into her hand, tearing the wrapper with her teeth. Reaching between them she sheathed his engorged member, stroking him gently as she did. He tensed when she touched him, fighting not to explode from the sensation. Her hand was hot and taunting as she pumped her fist up and down against him.

He dropped his head to her breasts, his tongue lashing at one nipple and then the other. He suckled the hardened nubs between his teeth and he felt her bristle with pleasure as she dropped a hand against the back of his head, pulling him tight to her. He wanted to linger in the moment and savor each sensation sweeping between them.

Vanessa moaned his name over and over again. Her entire body was on sensory overload, every nerve ending firing hot through her system. No man had ever had her begging so wantonly, desperate to be taken. She parted her legs unabashedly, her hand guiding him to the door of her most private place. She pushed her pelvis upward, eager to feel him inside of her.

Kendrick pushed forward, entering her easily. They both gasped loudly, her muffled cry lost in their kisses. She welcomed him in and with one hard thrust he buried himself deeply. The muscles of her inner lining contracted and pulsed as she adjusted to the feel of him. He tightened the hold he had around her torso and Vanessa hugged him closer.

He made sweet love to her, a slow push and pull of his hips. It was teasing at first, then possessive, his body claiming every square inch of hers. He stroked her in and out, in and out, and with each thrust Vanessa met him with her own up-and-down rhythm. His kisses trailed from her mouth to her cheeks, across the line of her profile down to her neck and back. His breathing turned ragged and the moaning became rhythmic as their climax neared.

They were caught up in the moment, their bodies sweaty, moving against each other feverishly. Outside, the rain beat harshly against the thatched roof. Flames crackled in the fireplace and the flickering candles perfumed the air around them. He stroked her faster and faster, their bodies moving beyond control until wave after wave of pleasure hit Vanessa first and then Kendrick, their orgasms coming one after the other. The moment was intense, the eruption volcanic. Vanessa clung to him, her body shaking as his quivered in sync.

The last quivers of their climax left them both panting heavily, sharing the oxygen that billowed between them. The weight of his body rested against her and she savored the feel of him. As his breathing finally eased, his body temperature returning to a semblance of normal, he pressed one more kiss to her cheek then nuzzled his nose into her neck. As the fullness of his manhood subsided, falling from her body, he pulled himself off her.

Vanessa rolled onto her side as he curled his body against the curve of her backside.

Minutes later Vanessa was snoring softly. Wrapping his body around hers, Kendrick wrapped his arm around her waist, his palm pressed to the flat of her abdomen as he drifted off to sleep with her.

 

Chapter 11

W
hen Vanessa woke Kendrick was gone and she was alone in the large bed. The memory of the night before was still fresh in her memory and she found herself grinning like the Cheshire cat. She stretched her body against the mattress top, kicking the sheets from around her feet.

She pressed her palm between her legs, tightening her thighs and knees together. She was just sore enough, the ache a sweet reminder of their time together. They had made love for hours. Over and over again, christening every corner of their honeymoon suite. The last time had been just before sunrise when they'd finally found their way to the bed. Vanessa couldn't remember anything else being so amazing. Kendrick had made love to her and it felt like actual love. Every caress, every touch, every stroke was filled with emotion, the sensations corporeal. A shiver ran the length of her spine as she thought about it, and him.

Throwing her legs off the bed she moved onto her feet, staring at the landscape outside. The storm had passed, nothing remaining but the debris strewn across the manicured lawn. Leaf-laden limbs protruded from the white sand on the beach. But the ocean water and the early-morning sky were both like blue ice, one shimmering as brightly as the other. As the new-day sun was beginning to rise so was the morning heat.

She moved into the bathroom and entered the shower, turning on the hot water. As she waited for the water to warm she moved to the sink and brushed her teeth. She was just about to step inside the shower when she heard Kendrick come back. He was having a conversation with Liam, both their voices echoing from the front room. When she heard the door close behind the butler she wrapped a towel around her naked body and went to greet Kendrick.

The minute Vanessa laid eyes on Kendrick a warm tingle rushed through her body. He looked so good. Morning shadow gave him the hint of a beard. He was dressed casually in running pants, racing sneakers and a ribbed tank top. The short length of his hair was picked out and his face was flushed from his morning run. When he saw her he smiled. “Good morning.”

“Hi. How was your run?” Vanessa asked.

He moved to her side and she caught his scent in the air around her. She took a deep breath and held it. He leaned to kiss her lips. “It was good. You should go with me sometime.”

She chuckled softly. “Thanks, but no thanks. That's the one thing I don't do.”

“Maybe one day I can change your mind.”

“Let's not bet on that,” she said.

Kendrick laughed, shaking his head as he stared at her. Vanessa could barely breathe as she watched him take her in with his eyes, his gaze skating from the top of her head to her manicured toes. They roamed over her body as if he could see right through the towel, taking in all of her hidden treasures. She shivered when he reached out and ran his finger along the top edge of the towel, caressing the round of her cleavage.

When he touched her she closed her eyes and sighed, inhaling him a second time. When she opened her eyes there was nothing but pure desire painting his expression.

“You look like you were just about to get into the shower,” he said. The sound of the water running echoed in the background.

She nodded. “I was. Why don't you come join me?” She extended her hand in invitation.

Kendrick took her hand and she pulled him toward the bedroom. She watched him step out of his clothes as they moved down the hallway. And by the time they made it to the shower Vanessa had dropped her towel to the tiled floor.

The water was just hot enough, both of them relaxing beneath the wet spray. There were multiple showerheads in the tiled enclosure and water rained down from every direction. The wet liquid pulsed, massaging taut muscles as it caressed bare skin.

* * *

Kendrick enjoyed watching the wet drops make their way down her body. He reached out to comb his fingers through her wet hair, the luxurious strands clinging to her skin. She passed him a bottle of shampoo and he gently massaged suds from her scalp down to the end of each strand. When her hair was washed, conditioned and rinsed he soaped her body, allowing his hands to glide over her curves. As he dipped his fingers in the juncture between her legs, her nipples grew hard and he felt the initial quiver of an erection lengthen in his southern quadrant.

Vanessa took a deep breath and held it for a quick moment before blowing it past her lips. “If you keep that up,” she said, “we're never getting out of this shower.”

Kendrick laughed as she turned in his arms, taking the bar of soap from his hands. “I don't know if I want to get out of this shower,” he said as she began to reciprocate his touch. He leaned back against the tiles as she drew her hands down the length of his body.

Steam rose through the space, clouding the view. Kendrick pulled her close, nuzzling his body against hers. He held her, enjoying the feel of her in his arms. She lifted her mouth to kiss the spot beneath his chin then laid her head against his broad chest.

“Last night was incredible,” Kendrick said.

She nodded. “It was. You were amazing.”

“You and I are amazing together,” he whispered softly.

Lifting her head Vanessa scanned his face.

“I don't know what I'm going to do with you,” Kendrick said as he stared into her eyes. “You've really got my head twisted, Vanessa.”

She smiled. “Is that a bad thing?”

He tightened the hold he had on her, his embrace comforting. He just held her, not bothering to respond. With his hands in her hair he tilted her mouth to his and kissed her deeply. His tongue pushed past her lips, need and want urging him on. His hands moved softly over her back, caressing her until she appeared almost too weak to stand. He suddenly wanted her under him and he said so as he lifted her in his arms. Reaching for the shower handle behind them he shut off the water.

Kendrick carried her back to the bedroom, where he laid her on the bed. He stared, unable to take his eyes off her. Kneeling above her he dropped his mouth to her breast and sucked her nipple between his lips. He licked the dampness from her skin, bathing the rock-candy protrusion with his tongue. He used his finger and thumb on the other, kneading it gently. Vanessa squirmed with excitement.

When he'd fully serviced one breast he moved to the other. He was learning her body well and knew he could bring her to orgasm just by playing with her nipples.

His mouth was hot and wet against her flesh and she sucked in swiftly at the sensation of his touch. His teeth grazed the nipple and she moaned loudly. She was on fire and he was purposely taunting her sensibilities.

He suddenly pulled his mouth from her, easing his body down as he straddled his legs around her. He slid down the length of her body, pulling one leg up and then the other. He pushed her knees open until she was spread wide, her legs open like the expanse of a butterfly's wings.

He slid down until his lips grazed her inner thigh. Vanessa gasped, then whimpered as she clutched the blankets beneath her body. Kendrick extended his body between her legs as he eased his arms behind her knees, pulling her to his mouth. He inhaled the scent of her, her desire fueling his own as his erection extended like a concrete bar. He pressed a gentle kiss against one thigh and then the other. Then he licked her, his tongue trailing over her clit. The nub was throbbing for attention. He licked her slowly, his touch teasing. He licked her, tasting her secretions as she pushed herself into his mouth. She was deliciously sweet as he thrust his tongue into her. Her hips jutted upward and she groaned in pure, unadulterated pleasure.

Vanessa moaned and begged him for more, unable to resist the desire surging through her. She was desperate for release, tears rolling down her cheeks. His tongue flicked her clit and lips, fast and slow, again and again. She couldn't keep still and he held her tightly. Before she realized what was happening he rolled, flipping her body above his. She was suddenly riding his face as he sucked her throbbing clit into his mouth. She wrapped her hands around his head, pulling him into her crotch as she bucked her hips against his face.

Vanessa cried out as he continued to nibble at her private parts. She called out his name, over and over again as if she were in prayer. She tensed as his tongue thrust inside her, the sweetest pressure against her love button. He licked and rubbed faster and faster and then he plunged his fingers into her. Her body exploded at the infraction, her juices flooding into his mouth. With each spasm she ground herself against his face, her body quivering with pleasure as she bucked hard against his tongue. Her body rocked back and forth, shuddering as every nerve ending reacted with pleasure. Kendrick continued to lick her dry. Easy passes of his tongue and gentle whispers of warm breath until she was too sensitive to be touched more. She pulled her body from his grasp, collapsing above him.

Needing his own release Kendrick kissed her thighs, the line of her pubic hair, her belly button. As he reached for a condom he'd rested on the nightstand, he spied the look of pure satisfaction that blessed her face and his member hardened even more. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was heavy as he crawled up to lie beside her, his body extended alongside hers. He sheathed himself quickly before pulling her into his arms. He rolled himself above her, easing himself swiftly between her legs.

It was sweet torture as he teased her flesh with his own. She arched ever so slightly as he entered her, his body melting into hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her hands playing in his hair. Everything about them together felt perfect, immensely so, and Kendrick didn't want it to ever end. He loved how she felt, loved the sounds she murmured against his ear. And as both their bodies convulsed with pleasure he realized that what he was feeling for her was love.

“No,” he said, gasping for air as he finally answered her question. “No. It's not a bad thing at all.”

* * *

Vanessa couldn't have been happier. The days were flying by and she and Kendrick played house for most of them. Conversation between them was easy as they continued to discover more about each other. She loved that they shared a penchant for all things sports-related, action movies and hot wings. Kendrick's boast that his home-cooked hot wings would easily outdo hers had been the catalyst for another bet and she was already plotting how to ensure she would win.

They had spent time walking the beach hand in hand, impressed by the staff, who'd removed all remnants of the previous week's storm. The sand was pristine, every leaf and tree limb gone. As they'd taken short strolls around the island to assess the damage, they found no more evidence of the destruction the hurricane had caused. The patio furniture was back in place and even the flora was full and abundant, with no trace of the high winds that had sapped them to shreds. And when the sun had been sky-high, the temperatures rising as rapidly, they'd gone swimming in the ocean waters and then the infinity pool. Every day was a lazy day, and more times than not, Vanessa had forgotten why they were there in the first place.

Vanessa appreciated his sense of humor and Kendrick made her laugh until her sides ached. When they weren't talking and laughing, they were making love. She'd lost count of the number of times she'd climaxed in his arms. Every day had been a good day. Falling asleep beside him had become the most natural thing for her to do.

It had been twelve days since the first time they'd made love. Twelve days of pure pleasure. And when Kendrick had disappeared to run an errand she had planned a romantic dinner, conspiring with Liam to plate all of his favorite foods: fried chicken, collard greens, corn bread and apple pie. She asked for the meal to be served by the pool, complete with candlelight and flowers and his favorite craft beer. Liam's assurances that everything would be perfect had fueled the excitement that still consumed her.

Standing in the walk-in closet she flipped through the dresses inside, trying to find the perfect one to celebrate their dinner. They were all cute and his sister had done a good job finding things for her to wear but the perfect dress for the romantic evening she hoped to have wasn't there. She wanted something sexy, classic and fitted that would hold his attention. Searching out pen and paper she wrote Kendrick a quick note, grabbed her purse and headed out to the resort's shopping strip.

* * *

Kendrick tossed a quick look over his shoulder, his hand on the doorknob. Once he was certain that no one had seen him, he opened the door and let himself in. The four men inside greeted him warmly.

There was Simon Brandt, Kent Jessup, Mike Terrence and Liam, all trusted members of his team. Each came with impressive résumés: two were former members of a paramilitary group, one was a technology specialist, and another, a retired navy SEAL. All of them had combat and weapons training and they were friends, having served together longer than they hadn't. Together with Zak Sayed they had gotten each other out of some sticky situations and Kendrick trusted the lot with his life.

“Yo, boss man!”

“Hey, boss.”

“Boudreaux, baby!”

Liam waved a chicken leg in his direction. “Playa! How's it hangin'?”

He shook his head. “Chicken? Really?”

“Your girl is putting the chef through some things. She wants old-fashioned Southern-fried chicken for your dinner tonight. I was just taste-testing, making sure it's perfect.”

“I want fried chicken,” Kent Jessup said. He was tall, with blue eyes, blond hair and the build of a wide receiver.

“We all want some fried chicken!” Mike chimed.

Kendrick shook his head. “So, where are we at?” he said.

Liam took a bite of his chicken leg and pointed at the redhead in the group. “Simon's been watching the movies on your girl's cloud account.”

Simon nodded. “Hacking her account was a breeze. She really needs to be a little more creative with her passwords. I've transferred all of her data to a secure server. If he figures out she has a cloud account there won't be anything on it when he goes to look. But Ms. Harrison is really good. She's got a great eye. Some of these films are quite entertaining.”