In a smooth move, she pulled him inside and shut the door behind him. One step, then two, and he was trapped against the door. She didn"t touch, instead letting the promised heat of her body, the heady scent of her perfume, seduce.
"I decided to take your advice," she told him with a sultry smile as she tapped her finger against his lips.
"Huh?"
"I know what I want and know I"m worth having it."
She took a small step, just enough for him to feel the brush of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s against his chest. Jesse"s head spun.
"I"m strong enough to take it, too," she informed him softly. "But I"d rather take turns."
The images flashed in fast-forward through his head. All hot, all naked, all intense. Each of them taking turns giving the other the ultimate pleasure.
Jesse tried to reel himself back. Tried to get control.
"Taking turns, huh? Maybe I"m not that kind of guy," he said.
"That"s okay. I"m enough of that kind of woman for both of us."
His heart skipped a beat at the naughty promise in Audra"s smile. Even the c.o.c.ky arch of her brow excited him. She was a fantasy come true, with that slightly wicked, dark edge to her. The kind that came without guarantees or safety nets.
The kind of woman that forced a man to ask himself if he was sure he had what it took to handle her. To satisfy her. A warning voice screamed in his head to watch out. She was involved in his case, even if she was no longer a suspect. He stifled the voice with a reminder that he wasn"t using her for information or to forward his investigation.
Jesse swallowed. She tilted her head to one side, obviously giving him a last shot at running. Instead, Jesse took that last emotional step and, throwing caution and good sense aside, slid his hands over her lush hips and pulled her against his straining body.
With that one move, he risked it all. His reputation, his self-image and his job ethics. And most of all, his shot at a real relationship with Audra after this was all over.
All hesitation took a fast dive down a sheer cliff when their lips met. One hand on the sweet curve of her waist, Jesse ran his fingers over the delicious length of her silk-encased thigh. His hand slid easily under her flirty skirt to cup her bare b.u.t.t, realizing as he did that rather than panty hose, she wore stockings and a garter.
Their mouths battled for control. Neither of them tried to dominate the other; instead, they were both doing their d.a.m.ndest to drive the other crazy. Jesse traced the lace edge of the garter, running his fingers under the elastic to feel her warm skin. Skin he needed to see, ached to taste.
With a low growl, he pulled his lips from hers and stared down into her pa.s.sion-clouded eyes. She stared back, challenge clear in the set of her chin.
"Not bad," she murmured in a teasing tone. "A kiss like that"s a nice start toward at least a six on the o.r.g.a.s.m scale."
"Six, my a.s.s," he promised. "I"ll have you seeing stars and crying my name before you can count that high."
"Big talk."
Jesse didn"t bother answering. Instead, he dropped to his knees in front of her. Audra"s grin was pure dare. She c.o.c.ked her brow, then shifted so she leaned against the wall. In a deliberate move, she placed one foot on either side of his knees.
Her gaze holding his, she trailed the back of her hand over her cheek. He thought of their s.e.xy phone call, heat intensified low in his belly. His gut clenched at the remembered intensity of their words, their shared fantasy.
Using the backs of her hands, Audra caressed her throat in a slow, sensuous slide until she reached her cleavage. Like a generous offering, she slid her hands down to cup her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, holding them in obvious pleasure.
Jesse swallowed hard as her thumbs flicked over the tips, just a couple swipes, and he could see the beaded nipples pressing against her silky blouse. He wanted to take those peaks between his teeth, suck them until she screamed.
But first, he had a six to beat.
His gaze still holding hers, he reached out to embrace her calves. His fingers smoothed over the fine seam of her stockings, climbing up the back of her knees, up her thighs until he reached the lacy top. Again, he smoothed over the elastic garter.
He groaned in protest when her hands left her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Then she winked, reached down and lifted her skirt for him. She took the hem, tucked it into the waistband, baring herself to his hungry gaze.
"Just thought I"d make it a little easier for you," she said with a naughty laugh. Jesse didn"t bother responding. He wasn"t sure he could speak if he"d tried. He eyed the tiny magenta triangle between him and heaven. His hands left her garter and cupped the smooth, tight skin of her bare a.s.s. One finger snagged the string of her thong and pulled. With a wiggle, she helped him release her femininity from its tiny bit of modesty.
"Should I start counting?" she challenged in a tone husky with desire.
Jesse cupped the feminine treasure she"d bared for his worship, the other still kneading her cheek. He slipped a finger into her folds, loving the wet heat that greeted him. The scent of her desire intensified the pressure against his zipper. Enough of the slow buildup; he was ready to hear her scream his name.
"Go for it," he instructed just before he took the slick folds into his mouth.
AUDRA"S BREATH shuddered out as Jesse worked his magical mouth over her. His tongue traced along her swollen lips while his finger slipped in and out, in and out. The tempo slowly increased, her breathing along with it. shuddered out as Jesse worked his magical mouth over her. His tongue traced along her swollen lips while his finger slipped in and out, in and out. The tempo slowly increased, her breathing along with it.
d.a.m.n, he just might make a seven. She"d have bet that was impossible with clothes still on.
He sucked at her c.l.i.toris at the same time he shifted the tempo. All feeling, all of her focus, centered on those ever-so-sensitive nerve endings he was so expertly coaxing. Her slick heat coated his fingers as he moved faster. The pressure wound tighter, her breath came in gasps now as her body climbed.
Her eyes closed, and Audra grasped Jesse"s head. Her fingers curled into the silky softness of his hair. She let her own head fall back against the wall, her hips undulating against his talented mouth. When his hand left her b.u.t.t, she almost moaned in protest.
Then he reached up to cup her breast. He tweaked her stiff nipple at the same time he sc.r.a.ped his teeth over the swollen bud of her c.l.i.toris. That combination, with the swift pumping of his finger, sent her over the shuddering edge.
Audra panted, hanging on to the o.r.g.a.s.m with all her might. Her body tense with the intensity of the sensations ripping through her, she finally gave in and rode the wave of pleasure to its crest.
Her head too heavy to lift from the wall, she couldn"t even open her eyes when she felt Jesse move from between her legs. She heard a rustle, the metallic slide of a zipper, then the sound of ripping foil, telling her he was tearing open a condom package. Before it all registered, though, Jesse"s hands tore the fragile fabric of her blouse from her with a loud rip.
Audra gasped and her eyes flew open just in time to see the almost feral look on his face as he stared down at her now naked chest. He met her eyes and gave her a tight grin before he cupped both b.r.e.a.s.t.s in his hands. He held her stiff nipples between his middle and index fingers, pinching them as he squeezed her b.r.e.a.s.t.s together with just enough pressure to make her catch her breath.
"It"s going to feel so good you"re going to scream," he promised just before he took one of those aching nipples into his mouth.
Desire swirled higher and higher, building and tightening until she was ready to scream for him to hurry. Audra felt as if she were running a race against her own body, rushing toward the promise of a pleasure so fine she"d never forget it.
She clutched at his shoulders, loving the feel of muscle rippling beneath her fingers.
With one large hand, he wrapped her leg around his waist and thrust into her. Audra whimpered at the delicious length of him as he embedded himself fully in her welcoming body.
When she grasped his shoulders, Jesse pulled away, his d.i.c.k slick with her juices. She made a sound of protest and he grinned. Someone was getting a kick out of his power over her body. She"d have issue with it if it weren"t for the fact that he was doing such a good job, he deserved all the jollies he wanted. In fact, she intended to make sure he got his jollies off like never before.
With that in mind, she trailed her hand down his chest, sc.r.a.ping her fingernail over his nipple. Jesse"s eyes narrowed, and Audra could see the pulse at the base of his neck beat a little harder. Good. Time to show him a little of her power.
She wasn"t sure why, was almost afraid to find out, but she"d never wanted to make a guy as crazy for her as she did with Jesse. Crazy for her body. For what she could do to his. For what they could do together. It was like a deep-seated need, more powerful than anything she"d ever felt before.
She smoothed her palm down his flat belly, her fingers tingling as they trailed over the crisp path of hair leading to his stiff d.i.c.k. She curled her hand over his straining flesh, her fingers sliding easily over the wet, latex-covered silk.
Jesse growled and grabbed her hand. He raised it to his mouth, licking the damp evidence of her pleasure from her fingers. The desire, so tightly wound in her belly, speared out at the move, need spiking through her system.
Her hand still in his, he grabbed the other one, too. He raised her arms over her head, bracketing her wrists in one hand to hold her captive as he slowly, ever so incredibly slowly, slid back into her waiting flesh. His eyes holding hers captive, he pumped in and out. Audra pressed forward to meet each thrust.
It was the look in those eyes, that ever-narrowing look of hunger, that seduced her as much as the delicious things he was doing to her body.
The curling heat in her system climbed again. Her lower lip tight between her teeth, she watched his eyes for the signal of his own loss of control. Jesse"s movements came faster, his breath harsher. Audra struggled to hold on, to keep control. She wanted his mouth against hers, but couldn"t bear to release his gaze.
He thrust, held. His gaze flickered. Her entire body so tense she felt she was going to rip apart, she started to lose her grip. Audra"s lids fluttered as the climax started deep in her belly, its power ripping through her in a vicious rush of pleasure so intense it bordered on pain.
Not willing to go over alone, she met his next thrust with a grinding motion, her leg wrapped around his waist so she used her foot to press him deeper. To hold him tight as she undulated against him.
Jesse"s guttural cry of release was the last straw. Audra exploded with a panting cry of pleasure. The o.r.g.a.s.m was like a wild storm, ripping through her with devastating ferociousness.
She"d finally met a guy good enough for her bad self. That was her last thought before she lost all awareness of anything but the pleasure.
IT WAS at least five minutes before Jesse could even consider raising his head from Audra"s shoulder and trying to breathe again. at least five minutes before Jesse could even consider raising his head from Audra"s shoulder and trying to breathe again.
"d.a.m.n," he muttered against Audra"s hair. "I can"t feel my legs."
Audra"s foot did a long, slow slide down his a.s.s and over the back of his thigh. Her spiked heel caught in the jeans pooled around his ankles. He winced at the reminder of his tacky haste. What kind of guy took a woman against the wall with his pants still halfway on?
Shame tap-danced its way over his conscience. What a jerk. He should be shot. Oh, sure, he"d made her scream as promised. But where was finesse? Gentleness?
Dread filled him as he forced himself to pull back.
An apology on his tongue, Jesse got a good look at Audra"s face. Her head still against the wall, her features were slack with pleasure. A faint smile played around her lips like a naughty secret just waiting to be shared.
Sensing his stare, she opened her eyes to meet his gaze. After a couple seconds, she c.o.c.ked a brow and tilted her head in a considering way.
"Well, well..."
Jesse"s ego swelled at the considerable pleasure in her voice. He tried to keep the grin from taking over his face, but doubted his success.
"Look at you, all satisfied and smug," she teased.
"As long as you"re satisfied and smug, too," he returned, sliding away from her with regret. "Never let it be said I"m the kind of guy to hog smug satisfaction all to myself."
Audra laughed with delight. Then, in a move that sealed his heart"s devotion to her forever, she stood on tiptoe to brush a sweet kiss over his lips. The act, pure affectionate joy, was even more emotionally intense than their lovemaking.
Jesse had to swallow his declaration of devotion. He was sure nothing could be more guaranteed to get his a.s.s kicked out of her apartment and her life. And he planned to do everything in his power to stay in both.
Instead, he pulled away to dispose of the condom. He watched as she slipped off what was left of her ripped blouse. She eyed it, then him, and winked.
"I"m proud and humbled to say you, my amazing man, scored a sweet eight on the "O" scale." She glanced at the shredded fabric again, then grinned. "Actually, I swear just the memory of that little session gives me a mini-o.r.g.a.s.m. That has to kick you up to an eight and a half."
Pride and affection mingled as Jesse returned her smile. He brushed his finger over her bare breast, just above the nipple. Her body gave a satisfying response, the dark coral bud tightening.
"What do you say we try for a nine?" he suggested.
She rolled her eyes, but her smile told him she was pleased.
"I have to warn you, if you stay you won"t get any sleep. I doubt I"ll be able to keep my hands off you."
"I still don"t want to leave," he admitted.
"I thought you were a good boy?"
"I"m good enough to score that nine," he promised.
"I like a man with a goal," she said with a laugh. Then she unsnapped her rumpled skirt and pushed it off her hips.
With a wink, she stood before him in a garter belt, black stockings, those wicked gladiator-style sandals and a glittery belly b.u.t.ton ring. Jesse"s body, so recently satisfied, stirred with interest.
"Let"s try it horizontal this time," she suggested. Then she turned and led the way to her bedroom. She shot him a wicked glance over her shoulder. "Don"t forget, it"s my turn to take advantage."
His eyes glued to the hypnotic sway of her bare-except-for-the-garter-belt hips, he realized he couldn"t wait.
A FAINT CHIME FAINT CHIME sounded from somewhere far away, tugging Audra from her deep sleep. She felt Jesse pull away from her, immediately missing the comfort of his warmth. sounded from somewhere far away, tugging Audra from her deep sleep. She felt Jesse pull away from her, immediately missing the comfort of his warmth.
That thought pulled her the rest of the way out of sleep. With a frown, she watched Jesse"s sweet b.u.t.t as he bent over to tug the chiming cell phone from the pocket of his discarded jeans.
When had a man"s body in her bed brought comfort? Pleasure? Often.
Satisfaction? Mandatory.
But this sweet sense of comfort and sappy emotions? Audra wrinkled her nose. What was up with this? Not that the sight of Jesse"s naked body in the soft morning light wasn"t a total turn-on. But to want to cuddle just as much as she wanted to make him arch his body in gasping pleasure beneath her mouth?
Panic overwhelmed the desire in her stomach, taking control and making her pulse skitter.
She understood s.e.x. But emotions? What did she know about emotions? If she wasn"t careful, she"d start thinking crazy. Start considering futures and having hopes and depending on someone other than herself.
Since the entire concept was impossible, and she knew it, she"d have to nip this in the bud. Send Jesse on his way with a thanks and a kiss, like she"d done so many guys before.
And if her heart spasmed at the concept, well, all the more reason to do it.
Audra caught sight of herself in the wall-to-ceiling mirrored closet doors. Her hair was spiked in bad girl wildness, and her chest was red with whisker burns. Swollen lips and heavy eyes greeted her inspection. She looked well-loved, satisfied and d.a.m.ned smug.
Exactly as she should after a night of incredible s.e.x. h.e.l.l, Jesse had even scored the mythical nine. Maybe nine and a half, but she"d pa.s.sed out, so it was hard to tell.
This wasn"t gooey emotional c.r.a.p, she a.s.sured herself. It was s.e.xual satisfaction. No reason to kick the guy out of her bed for that.
Happy now that she"d settled that in her head, she raised her arms overhead, pointing her toes to the foot of the bed, and stretched the stiffness from her body. Thoroughly satisfied, she slid her hands over her b.r.e.a.s.t.s in pleasure. Maybe they had time for another go-round before work?