When She's Bad (11 page)
“I think we talk too much,” she said, seeing the second he correctly caught her change of mood.
“Why tonight?”
She fought a millisecond of self-doubt. She didn’t want him to turn her down, not tonight. “Time to put out the fire,” she said, dropping her towel and stepping closer. She lifted her arms and hooked them around the back of his neck.
“Don’t worry.” Stretching up on tiptoe, she pressed her mouth to his, sliding her tongue over his bottom lip. “I’ll be gentle.”
He gave a rough chuckle and shook his head. “You changed your mind quickly.”
She felt another sliver of doubt. He wasn’t like any other man with whom she’d made love. He may not like getting aroused and not being satisfied, but he could handle going home and taking a cold shower. He had a strength of will and mind that made him an uncertainty for her.
“It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind. Are you complaining?”
“No, but understanding your mind will help me please your body.”
“I’ll tell you what I want. A condom.”
He gave in to the temptation to run his knuckles over her nipples, making them stand at attention.
She gave a sexy half-gasp. “And don’t make me wait.”
She tugged at his clothes and he helped, all the while their mouths meshing and parting, seeking and finding. His chest rubbed deliciously against her breasts.
He dropped his mouth to her breast and she sighed. Her body temperature ratcheted up another degree. This was what she’d needed, strong arms, an avid mouth and talented hands. Someone to hold her and make her forget for a little while.
The way he slid his hand down her ribcage, over her waist and lower made it easy to forget everything but this moment, this man. Inhaling his thigh-melting scent, she rubbed against him and pressed her open mouth to his throat to taste him. She felt the pressure of his erection against her lower belly and slid her hand over him.
He stiffened. “Not that fast,” he muttered.
“But I want it—”
He took her mouth in a French kiss that stopped her protest. She savored his dark sensual flavor and felt herself grow damp in her nether regions.
He touched her between her legs and growled in approval. “You’re already wet.”
She squeezed the muscles of his upper arms and moaned as she undulated her pelvis against his. He found her hot spot and made it bloom. His thumb moved over her in a mesmerizing motion.
Her heart raced like a hummingbird’s and she felt the tension inside her tighten unbearably. With shocking speed and force, she came, her climax an explosion of pent-up need and frustration.
She slumped against him, breathless and surprised. She pressed her mouth against the center of his chest and darted her tongue out to taste his skin. His heart pounded in a gratifyingly fast rhythm. She lowered her head and skimmed her mouth to his belly, then lower to his abdomen. She brushed her cheek against his full erection then slid her tongue over him.
Feeling him hold his breath in anticipation, she waited a half beat before she took him into her mouth. The hiss he made was the sexiest sound she’d ever heard. Emboldened by his response, she pumped him with her lips, taking him deep into her mouth.
He gave a low groan and slid his fingers through her hair to still her head.
“You can’t tell me you don’t like that,” she said, rubbing her lips down his shaft.
“I can’t,” he said, backing away with a sigh then pulling her to her feet and backing her against her bed.
Not fighting gravity, she fell backward on the bed. He followed her down, giving her another secret pleasure in the dark. His weight, braced by his elbows, made her feel oddly protected.
“Why did you stop me?”
“I have a rule,” he said, moaning as she wiggled her breasts against his chest.
“A rule,” she echoed. She should have known he would have something stupid and irritating like a rule for sex.
“Ladies first,” he said.
“I went,” she said, surprised at the rush of heat that raced through her when he lifted her hand and pressed his mouth against the soft underside of her wrist.
“Three times for you,” he continued. “Then one for me.”
Delilah blinked.
“Three?”
He chuckled. “One, two, three then me.”
Full of skepticism, she shook her head. “Oh, you won’t last. No way.”
“It’ll be a stretch,” he admitted, swearing when she cupped his crotch. He slid his tongue from her inner wrist to her inner elbow and Delilah felt the tips of her breasts harden.
Moving out of reach of her seeking hand, he gave her other arm the same treatment. The caress was so soft, yet so stimulating she was loath to move. He ran his finger along the same path. “Do it again,” she whispered when he stopped.
He chuckled and the sound was low, intimate and arousing. He slid his mesmerizing finger to the outside of her breasts and a wicked restlessness built inside her. She felt languid at the same time that her nerve endings felt like oil popping on a hot griddle.
“Like that?” he asked, winding his finger around her nipple.
She couldn’t resist the urge to arch her back. “Yessss. It’s just too—”
“Too what?” he asked, dipping his mouth to draw her nipple into his mouth.
Thank goodness,
she thought, moaning with half-relief. He slid his hand between her legs to gently taunt her. She opened her thighs, wanting more. She knew that was a blatant invitation, but she couldn’t remember feeling this much want, this much need, in a long, long time. She was already swollen again, already wet.
He lowered his mouth down her belly to kiss her thighs then pressed his mouth against her femininity. His tongue worked magic over her, laving her, pushing her, sending a buckshot of wild sensations through her. Delilah could hardly breathe.
When she thought she could take no more, he stroked her again and sent her flying. She cried out in release, shuddering and trembling.
He moved back up her body holding her close, keeping her from splintering apart. Delilah looked into his dark, dark eyes and felt a tremor shake her. She had thought she would ultimately be in control of this little game, but everything had been turned upside down. He read her body like a book. It wasn’t enough for him to screw her and leave her. She could see it in his eyes, feel it in his touch.
He would do it with tenderness and care, exquisite technique, but he was going to take her like she’d never been taken before.
“That’s two,” he said, and she felt his erection against her thigh. “Has anyone ever told you how much fun it is to make you—”
“Not lately,” she said. “I think two to one is fine.”
“Not if I can help it,” he said and pulled open the drawer to her bedside table. He pulled out a condom and put it on. Then he lowered himself so that he was just at her opening, tantalizingly close.
Delilah wiggled, but he bracketed her hips with his hands and shook his head. “Slower is better,” he coached her and eased just barely inside her.
He started to pull back and she protested. “Noooo—”
He eased inside her again, a little further, but not far enough. Delilah groaned in frustration.
He pulled back and she bit back a sob.
He thrust all the way inside her, stretching her, taking her breath. Watching her expression carefully, he lifted his hands to hers, twining his fingers through hers. “Too much?”
The combination of tenderness and complete possession undid her. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Deluged with all kinds of feelings she hadn’t expected to feel, she moved her head in a circle. “Not too much.”
His gaze devoured her as he began to move in a rhythm that made her swell and stretch. His body claimed hers. The power of their passion swirled around her head like a mist. Oh, she wanted him. Every inch of him. Every …
She strained to absorb him, rocking her pelvis into his, taking him deep inside her, intimately squeezing him with every stroke he took.
His labored breath matched hers. His fingers gripped hers. His body glistened with passion. She felt the savage wrench of pleasure inside her and gasped, her climax coming in waves. She hit a peak then another took her by surprise.
She cried his name out loud.
“That’s three,” he muttered and finally went over the edge with her.
Delilah wasn’t sure how many minutes passed before she caught her breath. Her heart was beating so hard she could feel it in her brain. On the lovemaking Richter scale, that had been … No number seemed high enough.
Damn
, she’d hoped he would be a lousy, selfish, clueless lover. Instead he had blown her away. Mentally swearing a blue streak, she closed her eyes and nudged him in a broad hint for him to get off of her and hopefully go away.
He rolled over.
Thankfully, he was quiet. She stole a quick glance and saw that he looked as if someone had hit him with a brick. She wasn’t sure that was good or not.
She felt vulnerable, incredibly well-laid, and she wasn’t sure when her knees would stop shaking.
It was just sex,
she told herself, but it didn’t ring true. Which scared the hell out of her.
She needed to get him to leave.
Flattery usually worked like a charm. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself. “You were amazing. Incredible. Whew!” She fanned herself. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to find the strength to walk you to the door.”
He rolled onto his side and looked at her.
She didn’t meet his gaze.
“Are you hinting for me to leave?” he asked in an incredulous tone.
“Well I know how men really don’t like to hang around after the deed, and I won’t lie. You really did wear me out. I’m sure you’re tired, too. And if you’re not, you should be—”
Benjamin chuckled.
She found the sound both arousing and irritating. “What?”
“You like me more than you want to admit,” he said, studying her.
“You wish,” she said, throwing him a sideways glance.
“You can’t believe how good it was between us,” he goaded her. “You want me again.”
She laughed, but the sound was slightly off-key, just a little uncomfortable. “I can absolutely promise that I do not want to make love again.”
“You’re sure,” he said, sliding one index finger down the inside of her arm. He knew some of her secrets now. He wanted to know the rest.
Delilah quivered then rubbed her arm where he’d touched it, as if she wanted to rub away his effect on her. He felt an odd stab.
“Okay, you want the truth? I’ve had a lot of frustration during the last month and you just helped me get rid of it. Thank you very much. I know you wanted the same thing—a night of hot sex. Here’s more of the truth. You’re slumming. Pick another girl next time. I’m sure you can find one.”
Benjamin felt a surge of anger blast through him. If he hadn’t seen the tinge of vulnerability in her eyes, he would have sworn at her and left. “My intentions toward you aren’t totally honorable, but I’m not slumming.”
“I’m not the kind of woman you usually go for.”
“So maybe I’ve been going for the wrong woman.”
“I’m not the kind of woman you would take home to meet your mother and father.”
“My mother and father would bore the hell out of you. They often bore the hell out of me. Want to know the truth, Delilah? The earth moved as much for me as it did for you, but you won’t admit it because you’re scared.”
She narrowed her eyes and jerked her chin upright. “If I’d been scared, I wouldn’t have let you be with me.”
“Maybe you should be scared. Maybe I should be too. I’ve never been with a woman like you, and something tells me you’ve never been with a man like me.”
He was right. She’d never been with a man like him, but she would sew her lips together before she admitted it. Right now, she needed to rein herself in, and she couldn’t do that if he was naked and in her bed.
Size matters in jewels flaunted below the belt and on the finger.
—D
ELILAH’S
D
ICTUM
D
elilah finally got rid of Benjamin, but he still succeeded in wrecking another night of sleep for her. She hadn’t expected him to make love to her until she was shaking, and she hadn’t liked being called chicken. Especially if there was a grain of truth in the accusation.
The following morning, Benjamin strolled through her front door as if he owned the place. He looked great. Business casual in a camel hair sport coat, shirt and tie, and slacks that emphasized his long legs. She instinctively inhaled and caught his delicious scent. His eyes glinted with a determination that made her uneasy. She narrowed her eyes at him as she hustled Willy to his high chair. He’d already downed his bottle and his rice cereal was ready.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, wishing she didn’t feel blurry and muddled.
“Good morning to you, too,” he said with a dry tone. He handed her some folded papers. “Here’s an offer on your condo. Let me know if you’re interested.”
Delilah blinked. “Offer? What are you talking about?”
“You said you wanted a buyer for your condo. I have one for you.”
Willy banged his fists on his high chair and made grunting noises. Delilah spooned rice cereal into his mouth and reached for the papers. “Who—” She broke off when she read the name. “You! Why do you want to buy my condo? What do you want with it?” She glared at him. “Is this because we had sex last night? It’s really not a good idea to make financial decisions that are influenced by sex.”
“No. It’s not about sex,” he said in a long-suffering voice. “You were very good, but your sexual performance has nothing to do with the value of your condo. I invest in real estate.” He shrugged. “I already own several condos in this building. What’s one more?”
Delilah couldn’t stop her mouth from falling open. She had known Benjamin was loaded, but he hadn’t acted
that
loaded. Willy banged on his tray for another bite. Distracted, Delilah obliged. “So you can just arbitrarily decide
oh, I think I want to buy another condo today
. And it’s done?”
He moved his head in a circle. “Within reason. And reason is a matter of perspective. Anyway, I’ve got a lecture, so I’ve got to go. Let me know if the offer works for you. I’ll rent it to you so you won’t have to move.”
Delilah’s stomach knotted. He was probably planning to take the rent in trade for the use of her body.
As if that would be such a hardship
, her baser side taunted her as she inhaled his aftershave again and felt herself salivate. Still, the thought of the arrangement bothered her. She shoved a spoon of rice cereal into Willy’s mouth and opened her mouth to de-confuse Benjamin on the matter of her hopping into the sack with him.
“And don’t get any ideas about bedding me instead of paying me,” he said before she could get out even a word. He leaned closer so that his face was a breath from hers. “I expect your rent in cold hard cash.”
Shock froze her vocal cords. She worked her mouth, but no sound came out. He backed away and she cleared her throat. “Of course,” she managed. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Good. I’ll see you later. Do you want me to take Willy this afternoon?”
Still stunned, but trying to hide it, she nodded. “Uh, yes. That would be nice. Can you?”
“Yes. See ya after lunch,” he said and left her staring after him.
Willy banged on the tray and she spooned another bite into his mouth. She felt as if someone had hit her in the head with a frying pan. Or her fairy godmother had waved a wand in her direction. “Yeah, right,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Okay, what just happened? I got an offer from Benjamin Huntington to buy my condo and he would allow me to continue renting it. He’s taking you this afternoon. There’s gotta be a catch. The offer is low, rent is sky high,” she muttered, snatching the papers and scanning for telltale figures.
The offer was fair. The rent was ridiculous. Ridiculously low. Tossing the papers onto the kitchen counter, she plopped down in a chair across from Willy. She spooned the cereal into his mouth. “So what do you think? Is Benjamin a good guy or not?”
Willy gurgled and gave her a smile laced with cereal. She couldn’t resist smiling in return. “Oh, I should have known you guys always stick together,” she teased, tickling him under his chin. His cackle lifted her mood. Even with ears like Dumbo and chronic diaper rash, Willy was a heart stealer. Although she was the first to admit that Willy could drain every ounce of energy and sanity from a normal human being, Delilah wondered how Nicky could have brought herself to give the baby up.
Willy had a way of getting under her skin. “Sorta like a chigger,” she joked, wiping his face and swinging him out of his chair.
Robert strode up the stone path to Lilly’s front door. He felt a kick of excitement he hadn’t felt before. After the plastic chicken dinner they endured last night, he’d taken her home and he’d kissed her good night at her front door. Her innocence had stopped him from going any further. He knew she was inexperienced and he would have felt like a heel to take her without making a commitment. His father’s prodding nudged at him. His brother’s caution pulled him in the opposite direction.
He knocked at Lilly’s front door and she appeared with a bright smile on her face. “Hi,” she said in a breathless voice that somehow made him feel lighter.
“Hi yourself. You ready?”
She nodded. “I just need to get my jacket.” The phone rang. “Oops. I guess I should get that. Come on in.”
Robert followed her inside and wandered into the den where she picked up the phone.
“Oh, hello Greg,” Lilly said. “I can’t talk. I was just getting ready to leave.” She paused.
Greg
. Robert fought the urge to grind his teeth.
“Saturday night?” she echoed, biting her lip. “I, uh, I don’t think I can … Sunday?” Her eyes rounded. “I’m sorry. I can’t. I’m busy both nights,” she said. “Next Tuesday?”
Robert narrowed his eyes.
“I really can’t talk now. I have to go. I’ll be late. Bye now,” she said and turned off the phone. “Wow, he’s persistent.” She pushed her hair behind one of her ears and cleared her throat. “Well, I’ll get my coat.”
He snagged her hand when she turned to leave. “Did you want to go with him?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, why?”
“That’s what I wanted to ask you. Why don’t you want to go with him?”
She took a deep breath and looked down. “I’d rather be with you,” she said in a low voice that got under his skin.
He felt an easing sensation inside him. Things were getting back to normal. “Good,” he said. “I don’t think Greg had honorable intentions for you.”
Lilly gave him a blank look. “Honorable?”
Robert nodded firmly. “You deserve to be treated honorably. You should be treated with respect. Don’t forget that.”
“Honor, respect,” she echoed and sighed. “Robert, do you think a man can’t have sex with a woman he respects and honors?”
Surprised by her question, he tugged at his collar. “No. A husband can respect his wife and have sex with her.”
“So you think if a man has sex with a woman and they’re not married, then he can’t respect her?”
Robert felt a rush of discomfort. “I didn’t say that.”
“Well, what do you think?” she asked, impatience leaking into her voice. “What’s your opinion?”
“I think it depends on the relationship and the individuals involved,” he hedged. “Why are you asking?”
She bit her lip and her cheeks turned pink. Determination glinted in her eyes and she cleared her throat. She leaned closer. “Do you ever think about having sex with me?”
Robert blinked. She could have knocked him over with her little finger. He frowned. “Lilly!”
She lifted her chin. “Well, isn’t it natural to think about it?”
Robert’s throat suddenly felt parched. “I guess, but I have something else on my mind right now. I have a surprise for you. I want to give you something special, but I want to get your opinion first.”
Her eyes rounded. “A gift? Robert, what a surprise.”
He nodded. “I think you’ll be pleased. It’s something I definitely want you to have.”
She smiled. “You’re making me curious.”
“Then let’s go so you can satisfy your curiosity.”
Twenty minutes later, Robert led Lilly onto the front porch of a house whose owner she didn’t know. She looked at him. “Who lives here? What are we doing—”
Robert grinned. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
The door opened and a middle-aged man looked from Robert to her and back to Robert. “Good to see you, Robert. Is this the little lady you’re shopping for?”
Robert gave a big nod. “She certainly is. Lilly, meet the finest breeder and trainer of golden retrievers in the state of Texas, Richard Ginter.”
Mr. Ginter chuckled. “You’re gonna make me blush. Nice to meet you, Lilly. Come on in and I’ll show you my little ones. They’ve both been housebroken and I’ve trained them to be good companions. We just need to find out which one you fancy the most. This way,” he said, walking through the paneled den.
Lilly stared after the man, unable to move her feet.
“Go on, sweetheart. I can’t wait to see your face.”
Housebroken, golden retrievers, companions
. Lilly had the sinking sensation this gift definitely wasn’t going to be jewelry. She forced herself to take a shallow breath and followed Mr. Ginter through the den and kitchen onto the back porch where four dogs greeted them with barks of joy.
“He’s not talking about—” She gulped as Mr. Ginter called two puppies onto the deck.
Robert laughed as he wrapped his arm around her waist. “She can’t believe it. Aren’t they gorgeous, Lilly? You’ve got a tough choice to make.”
“This is Maxine,” Mr. Ginter said. “And this is Max. Take your time. They’ve both got great personalities, but Robert wants you to be happy.”
“And safe,” Robert said, meeting her gaze. “I don’t like the idea of you being alone in your house at night.”
Lilly bit her tongue. She wondered what it was going to take for Robert to realize she wanted a lot more than a puppy from him.
Benjamin heard Delilah rush through the front door as he jiggled Willy and paced the length of the den. The baby had been fussy for the last hour.
Smelling Italian, he caught sight of take-out bags from a popular Italian eatery and joined her in the kitchen. “I didn’t know what you would like, so I got the sampler,” she said. “Sorry, no red wine. I think there’s another Corona in the refrigerator. Will that do?”
“You don’t have to feed me dinner,” he said.
“The least I can do,” she said and glanced at Willy. “Are we winding up for the arsenic hour?”
“Sounds like it. He’s drooling like someone left his faucet on.”
Delilah dumped the bags on the counter and made a sympathetic pout. “Poor thing. You look like you need a cookie,” she said, extending her arms.
“Bad habit to start,” Benjamin said, handing Willy to her.
“What am I supposed to do? Tell him to chew on a nail?” She tossed Benjamin a look of disapproval. “Nothing wrong with a cookie after a long day of teething.” She pulled a box of baby cookies out of the cabinet and offered one to Willy, who immediately crammed it into his mouth. Cooing, she gave him a kiss and set him in the high chair then pulled out the take-out containers and plates. She grabbed Cheerios and reached for the Corona at the same time Benjamin did.
Their hands touched and she paused, meeting his gaze. “I’ll let you get that,” she said. “And I’ll get my water.”
“No champagne cocktail tonight?”
“No. It looks like I may be driving Willy around the block a few times.”
They both sat down at the kitchen table and Delilah poured some Cheerios onto Willy’s tray. The baby’s face lit up and he immediately began to pick them up one by one.
“Nice trick,” Benjamin said in approval.
“Thanks. A girl at work told me about it. I’m all ears on baby tips these days. And they’re clinically proven to reduce cholesterol,” she said, reading the claim on the box. “Balances out the cookie.”
He chuckled and served himself a portion of lasagna while Delilah took the spaghetti and meatballs. “I love their sauce.”
“Have you decided to accept my offer on your condo?”
“It’s a fair offer,” she said, taking a bite and licking her lips. She stabbed a meatball with her fork, set it on her tongue and sucked it into her mouth.
Benjamin felt an immediate, visceral response.
“The rent you want me to pay, however, is way too low.”
“Do you have a better offer?”
She stopped mid-bite and swallowed. “Well, no, but—”
“The offer’s on the table until midnight. Take it or leave it.”
She blinked. “Until midnight?”
“Yes,” he said, taking a bite of lasagna.
“Well aren’t you the pushy one.” She sighed, looked at another meatball and set down her fork. “This is such a bummer. I wouldn’t even have to be thinking about this if—” She broke off and sighed in disgust.
“If what?” he asked casually.
“If nothing,” she retorted and stabbed another meatball.
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with someone whose name starts with G, would it?”
She froze. “What do you know? Have you been snooping in my personal business?”
“I saw your creative budgeting plans last night,” he admitted. “The snake was very good.”
“It was none of your business.”