If erotic romance isn't your thing, please stop reading. You might be offended. Microsoft word doesn't format well for some reason when transferred to The Writers Circle. The one thing I hate is that thoughts in italics aren't shown. The italics simply don't transfer.
Constructive criticism is appreciated. It helps me grow in my writing, even if I don 't always like it! :) And please--all work is copyrighted. Enjoy only.
CHAPTER 2
Jack woke before his alarm sounded, laid in bed and reflected on the intense dreams he'd had. Anticipation flowed through his mind, through his body. He'd be in bed with Liberty in ten hours. Nine and a half if he was lucky.
An hour later Jack strode across the stage to the podium. He searched for Liberty in the front row. Scanned the lecture hall. Sought the woman he'd held in his dreams.
She wasn't there.
Disappointment gutted him. Her words from the previous afternoon slithered through him. "Maybe it wasn't meant to be."
If he had even contemplated they wouldn't be together tonight, he'd have blown off the commissioner without blinking an eye. That was how bad he wanted to be with her.
Jack questioned how Liberty had assumed control of both his mind and his body. He always controlled his emotions, his responses.
Until yesterday.
The door opened at the back of the lecture hall and Liberty slid silently in. Jack's breath left his body in a long sigh. Damned if he didn't feel a sense of relief.
"Glad you made it," he said smoothly. "Please--take your seat." Motioned to the front row. The empty one she'd occupied the day before.
Jack watched her make her way down the isle. Liberty possessed a confident walk, dangerous hips, and wore a dress he was jealous of. It clung to her curves, to her breasts.Was she wearing a bra?
No. She wasn't. Her nipples hardened beneath his stare, jutted through the knit material of her dress. Hunger coiled in his gut. Jack forced his eyes to her face. Tried to stop his mind from spiraling to testosterone-driven images of thrusting through her slit, her legs tight around his hips, her voice urging him. Stop.
He opened his mouth a crack. Panted.
Her glossy black hair was pulled back in a ponytail, her face free of make-up. She looked beautiful. Real. But he'd lay odds she'd overslept. Had thoughts of him kept her awake?
She sat, squirmed in her seat. Picked a piece of lint from her breast. No. From her dress. Jack dropped his eyes, tried to clear his mind.
Toenails painted lick me red. Stilettos. No way could he have been prepared for this woman in stilettos.
His balls rolled in acknowledgment. Relayed a message to his brain to make him aware the accommodations in his jeans fell short of the space needed to accommodate the erection this woman would give him. Knew this from the previous day. His breath escaped his lungs seconds later in a silent hiss of acknowledgement.
Jack drew a deep breath and resumed talking. Tried to ignore what was impossible not to feel. Focused his full attention on his power point presentation. And refused to look at Liberty.
He couldn't. For the first time in his life, Jack couldn't concentrate. When he was done with his presentation, he allowed his gaze to drift to her.
Yanked his eyes away. Closed them.
Jesus Christ. Tried to pretend he hadn't seen. But he had.and it was all he could do to breathe. Liberty had pushed her dress to her upper thighs. Let her legs relax. Slide open.
Black curls covered her mound. Played hide-and-seek with her sex.
Jack turned away. Swallowed hard. Took a long, very slow drink of water. Struggled to pull himself together. To ignore the explosive pressure against his zipper begging for release.
Always the consummate professional-except for this woman-Jack was composed on the outside when he faced the audience. He talked, nodded, smiled at comments made by conference attendees.
But on the inside, stark need shook him by the collar, brutal in its quest for ownership.
Boundaries appeared to be negotiable to her. Jack flexed his shoulders. He'd be a formidable foe if anyone jeopardized his intent to explore this iniquitous streak.
He reached in his back pocket and removed his handkerchief. Wiped the sweat from his forehead while he battled the contemptible urge to postpone the rest of the morning's lecture and give her the results of her playful little game.
Tried to mask the heat he knew burned in his eyes when his gaze shifted to her face. Knew he'd failed to rebuild his wall of resistance when she shot him a bold smile acknowledging his awareness of her lack of propriety.
For God's sake, he'd already stepped over the line of professionalism by propositioning her. Jack shook his head. His success came from his logical, unemotional approach to life.
Even if at this moment the testosterone raging through his body demanded he behave in a manner that befitted a barbarian.
He had to stop thinking about her.
Play it cool until they were away from the conference center. The only way he could achieve this for her to be out of his sight. When the meeting broke for lunch he texted, explained he had business, but would see her immediately after. He didn't get a response.
Jack never slept with women with whom he had a professional relationship. It went against his ethics. Uncle Sam felt the same way. It didn't matter. Being with Liberty mattered. When the seminar finally finished for the day, he strode purposefully to her side. Couldn't stop a grin from splitting his cheeks. Couldn't keep his eagerness to challenge her boundaries from filling his mind. Or his fantasies.
Liberty touched his arm and he flinched. Incendiary heat coiled in his groin, turned him to stone. It was all Jack could do to avoid the behavior predictive of the male population when hit with uncontrollable arousal.
He shifted his legs instead. Grimaced. Leaned into Liberty, and whispered in her ear. "Meet me outside," he said tersely, "I'll escape as fast as possible."
Her emerald eyes glittered. She nodded, strode away. It took Jack longer. He stopped along the way to address questions.
Finally he broke free and strode outside. Squinted against the late afternoon sunlight. He spotted Liberty sitting on the edge of the fountain, her hand raised in the air, her eyes closed. Watched her toss a penny over her shoulder into the water. Jack realized he wasn't the only man who had stopped to admire her earthy beauty, the sensual charisma she excluded. His feet took him forward, slowed as he watched a man approach her. Smile at her.
The guy wore a suit Jack recognized as worn by only the most successful of businessmen. Liberty smiled, shook her head. The guy walked off. When he reached her, Jack couldn't keep the grin off his face.
"Can't leave you alone for a minute, can I?" He teased.
"A girl can enjoy the flattery of any guy when she's single," she shot back with an amused smile.
When she stood, Jack's hands slipped to her hips. Squeezed. Pulled her forward until they were touching in the most basic way a man could allow his need to show in a public place.
He whispered in her ear. "You're no girl, Liberty. You're all woman. And every man out here would chance places with me in a heartbeat." He pulled back and his eyes smiled into hers. "I'm a lucky man to have your company. Where would you like to eat, sweetheart?" He cleared the huskiness from his voice.
"I've never been to San Francisco."
Surprise landed on his face. "I guess I'll remedy that. Let's head to the Wharf. You like seafood?" He took her hand and linked her fingers with his.
Liberty smiled, her eyes shining with excitement. "Love it."
Jack raised their intertwined fingers, and kissed the back of her hand. "Your wish is my command," he murmured. He couldn't resist the temptation to brush her lips lightly with his before turning and walking to a trolley stop.
Sitting in the trolley, Jack leaned back, closed his eyes to regroup. Or not.
Carnal lust gnawed at his restraint. Derisive humor taunted him. Where was the self-discipline that defined him, exemplified his life?
"Are you okay?"
Concern mirrored her words. Jack opened his eyes and smiled. "I'm great. I'm with you."
Liberty felt magic in the air. Wondered if Jack felt it too. God, she hoped so. Reaching up, she ran her fingers through her hair as the wind blew it around her face.
"Allow me." He gently finger combed it. "So soft, so silky. Can't wait to bury my face in it, to taste your skin," he murmured softy.
The intensity of his gaze tightened her nipples. "Can't wait to have you taste my skin.everywhere," she breathed. Saw him swallow with effort. Watched his cheeks flush.
"Stop," he groaned. "No more verbal foreplay until after we eat. Or I'm going to be one miserable man the whole time we're dining."
Liberty put her hands on his chest. Kneaded. Felt his heart stutter, pound as she slid her hands across his chest. Skimmed her fingertips down his taut belly. Watched his eyes drop to half mast as they stared into hers.
"You're playing with fire, Liberty. Unless you want to get burnt."
"Please," she said breathlessly. "Make me burn, Jack."
His lips came down hard on hers. Showed no mercy in seeking what he wanted, his teeth nipping at her lower lip, his tongue darting along the seam of her sealed lips.
Liberty knew if she opened for him here, now, she'd lose complete awareness of where they were. She'd demand more than the boundaries of polite society would allow him to deliver.
He pulled back an inch, leaned his forehead against hers. "Jesus, Liberty," he said, breathing heavily, "you're hell on a guy's control. I need more to keep me sane."
"If I give you more, I'll lose mine. Right here on his trolley," she whispered back.
"Promise," he said with a wicked grin.
She wet her finger with her tongue. Ran it along his lower lip. He groaned, leaned back against the hard seat and closed his eyes. Pushed his fingers through his hair in blatant frustration. Opened his eyes and caught her gazing at his crotch. Gave her a rueful smile when she looked into his face.
"I'm hungrier for you than I am for food," she said softly.
He ran the back of his hand down her cheek. "You sure?"
Liberty nodded. "I've never been more certain."
His eyes licked her nipples greedily. Her breasts swelled to a lip-biting state of desperation, his awareness of her arousal an added aphrodisiac. When he licked his lower lip with the tip of his tongue and winked at her, the warm wet heat of her sex soaked her thong.
His nostrils flared. "You smell so sweet Liberty," he whispered. "But I bet you taste even sweeter."
The heat in his eyes. Holy shit...
Jack's fingers teased their way down her arm. His thumb stroked the center of her palm in a hypnotic rhythm. Her nipples beaded painfully and she longed to rub them. The trolley came to a halt at the next stop and they got off. Caught another one heading back to the garage where their cars were parked. His arm guided her from behind. When they reached her car, Liberty glanced sideways and gave him a sweet smile. Jack kissed her with gentle restraint.
Gentle didn't stop her sex from swelling, her thong from saturating. Liberty rubbed her belly against his long rigid length. "I need to get my mind off how eager I am to taste your essence," she murmured in sotto.
"Damn it, Liberty, but I love your boldness." He glanced around. Ran his palm down his zipper with a slow deliberate movement. Grimaced.
"Obviously not bold enough," she shot back, her heart thudding. "That should have been my hand."
A muscle jerked in his jaw. He didn't speak, simply wrote down his hotel address.
"Meet me there," he said his voice husky.
She got in, started her car.
"Lock your doors," he said. Turned and walked with a stilted gait to his car.
The elevator door opened. Liberty stood outside his room, her shoulder propped against the wall, her eyes pleading for him to hurry. His usual adroitness failed, and Jack fumbled with the card key. She took it from his fingers, and slid it without difficulty.
Jack shoved the door open, kicked it shut, put her back to the wall. Rubbed his cock against her belly. "I need you," he bit out.
Liberty eyes dropped to his belt, lingered. Traveled languidly back to his face. She unfastened the first two buttons of his oxford and ran her fingers lightly over the pulse in his neck.
"Looks that way," she murmured.
Grazed her lips slowly over the pulse in his throat, over its bounding throb. Jack could question if she'd touched him. Knew she had. The breath of her lips on his skin had affirmed his need to keep his pants on. At least for a little while. That is, if he wanted to assert he wasn't the animal that paced in his jeans.
He'd never allowed a woman to see him desperate. Hell, he'd never been this desperate.
"Baby, I'm trying to be patient," he muttered. Jack's cheeks flushed at his admission. He leaned in, cupped her face gently in his hand. Wanted to go slow for her.
Tried to just kiss her. Lost the ability.
Her lips. Rich, ripe, untamed beneath his. Their sensual touch enslaved him as he tried to dominate. Owned him as he tried to possess. And irrevocably incited his passion as she continued to resist, to fight his need to indulge his tongue. To plunge inside her mouth.and taste her.
She conceded with grace to his relentless determination. Challenged his primitive thirst. Fought his foray as he hunted her taste in every inch of her mouth, giving her pleasure.
And taking his.
Grayson moaned. Tangled her fingers in his hair. Rubbed her belly across the hardest erection he'd ever had.
Made him want to come.
Jack grasped the sides of her dress, jerked it over her head and tossed it. Forgot to breathe.
"You're beautiful," he said his voice hoarse in the silence.
And she was. Not formula perfect. But perfect to him. Jack inhaled, pulled the scent of her sex deep into his lungs. Shuddered. Stared into eyes naked with arousal.
Glazed his fingers across her smooth stomach. Watched with a tense smile as the muscles jerked, dipped beneath his touch. Cupped her lush breasts in his hands. Ran his thumbs across nipples hard, erect. Listened to a moan intoxicated by tawdry arousal.
"Kiss me Jack."
Sultry. Irresistible. Impatient.
Liberty kissed him. A torrid, evocative kiss that stole his need to be the aggressor. She purred, rubbed her breasts across his chest. Jack cupped their fullness in his hands. Kneaded, sucked her nipple. Teased it, raked it with his teeth.
Liberty held his head, his mouth, tight to her breast. Jack tugged harder, felt the turgid tip grow between his lips. Lingered. Lathed it with controlled violence. Lifted his head, and felt the burn from the fire in her emerald eyes.
"Don't stop," she whispered. Gripped tight to his shoulders.
He gave her a slow, knowing smile. "I want both breasts to use my tongue for your pleasure."
She rocked against him. Made him want to howl. He lifted his head, regretted it as soon as he couldn't taste her. His laugh was ragged. "I would come close to death if you said stop."
She shook her head, her eyes hot, her lips curved in a promise of a smile. "That's just not going to happen, Jack."
He ran his shaking hands down her sides. Kissed her neck, her jaw. "Thanks for keeping me alive," he whispered in her ear.
Liberty rapped her body around him. She felt like silk even through his clothes. He tangled his fingers in her hair, rubbed his face in its soft silkiness. The essence of citrus filled his lungs. He slid his hand down her belly, rolled the texture of her pubic hair between his fingers. Loved it.
Skimmed his fingertips over her slick lips. Felt their quiver against his fingers. Jerked with violent force against his zipper. Groaned in torment, but held tight to the barbaric pleasure. Slipped two fingers inside heat so hot, so.
"Damn you're wet," he rasped.
Memorized her channel with his fingertips. Watched her head drop back. And listened to a moan so desperate it sent chills over his body with its heat. Jack had to close his eyes and just breathe.
Hot. Smooth. Tight. Real tight. Opened his eyes.
Need to slow down, Jack. She must enjoy it from the first thrust.
Her nails dug into his shoulders. "More," she moaned.
He welcomed the pain of her nails, hoped she'd break his skin. The sting would help keep him grounded.
Jack listened to her soft pants beneath the harsh noise of his. Pulled her tight to his body, rubbed with suppressed violence against her. Wrapped his arms around her. Had never wanted a woman as bad as he wanted the woman in his arms.
Felt her hands slid down his shirt to his waist. Stop.
His shirt needed to come off. He reached for the top buttons.
Her fingers unbuckled his belt with rapid precision. Slipped inside and cupped him.
"Jesus, Liberty," he whispered hoarsely. "It's too." Dropped his head back with the intensity of pleasure her touch gave him.
Pulled his zipper down with her other hand.
"Wait," he demanded, reaching for.
Freed his cock into her frantic fingers. Explored every rigid inch. Teased him, taunted him. Gave him pleasure he couldn't sustain.
Smiled up at him. A slow, melting slip of a smile that twisted his gut with insatiable lust. And sent lube oozing down the side of his shaft.
He grunted, stabbed his fingers through his hair.
"Jack," Liberty whispered, peering through her lashes. "I think you're ready," she teased huskily. "And relax. I can take everything you can give me," she promised. And crossed her heart.
"Put your legs low, down around my hips," he demanded. Her legs gripped his hips, her heels dug into his back. Jack leaned away from her, tugged his shirt. Pressed her firm against the door. Supported her legs, opened her thighs, and just stared.
She was stunning.
Her black curly hair was soft beneath his fingers, her sex swollen and ready. She wrapped her legs tighter, and the moist heat of her lips kissed his belly. His knees shook.
"Put your arms up," he commanded.
Liberty shook her head, a sassy glint in her eyes. "Didn't your mother teach you any manners?"
Wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Rubbed her nipples across his chest. Pushed her mound against his cock. Arched her back.
And freaking mewled with pleasure.
Jack's shoulders trembled. Sweat ran down his back. Did it qualify as premature if he never made it inside?
He swallowed over the knot in his throat. "Please Liberty," he murmured. "Please put your arms up." Realized at that moment he didn't stand a nun's chance in hell of holding it together.
"Or so help me God, I'll do it for you," he ground out.
She laughed.
He pulled her tight to his skin, pushed her arms over her head. She wriggled against him, and his breath shot from his lungs in a loud hiss at the feel of her hot silky belly grazing his cock repeatedly.
Jack refocused. Sucked her erect nipple between his lips, reveling in its silky feel, its sweet taste. He inserted a third finger inside her. Panted without shame. Her breathe came in broken sobs.
"Are we going to do this or not?" she cried.
Her eyes beseeched. Jack wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. "I want to go slow for you," Jack said hoarsely. I don't want to hurt you.
He reached in his back-pocket, pulled out a foil, and rolled a condom down his length.
Their eyes clashed. Her pupils burned hot. No green.
"Liberty. Baby," he whispered.
She cupped his face in her hands. "You're killin' me," he growled.
Slid her tongue in his mouth. Raked a nail over his nipple.
Jack caught this breath. Held it. Tensed every muscle in his body. Prayed the one he most needed to control would respond. His body came through. Barely. Jack hoped she was right about taking all of him because he couldn't wait any longer. He gave up control for the first time.
"Fuck me, Liberty," he demanded. "Control it, so I don't hurt you," he added hoarsely.
"Spoken like a gentlemen," she whispered in his ear. She leaned down, bit his nipple playfully.
Jack nudged his swollen head through her slit without waiting for her initiative. Swore.
Her muscles worked against him. Tightened rhythmically on his head, his first inches. She moved restlessly, trying to sink further down on his length. Jack held her cheeks in his hands. Desperate or not, he refused to hurt her.
"I've got a secret, Jack."
Unless your about to tell me you're a man in disguise I don't give a fuck what it is.
Sin burned in her eyes. Jack waited, muscles coiled. Teeth clenched. "Well?" he rasped.
"What I'm feeling for you.it isn't slow," she whispered, trailing her fingers around his neck. "It's fast, hot.almost violent. And Jack.I'm no lady."
She grasped both sides of his oxford and jerked. Buttons flew.
"Liberty," he shouted. Flexed. Took her.
Her back arched. A keening cry fractured the silence.
"Jesus," he bit out. Shook uncontrollably as he forced his muscles to freeze.
"More. More, Jack," she begged urgently.
Jack took her hard, his craving insatiable, her cries of pleasure a whip to his back. She goaded him to the edge between sex and violence, her hunger as deep, as dark as his own.
He used her juice to swirl his thumb on her clit. A scream tore loose from her throat, and her muscles convulsed around him. She rode her orgasm to completion, sliding up and down his cock in a rhythm he tried to resist.
But could not. "Not yet," he demanded in a raw voice. "Not yet."
She drug him with her. Squeezed him. Milked him.
Jack released her legs, slid her slowly down his body until her feet touched the floor. Kept her close. Both of them gasped for air, both leaned their forehead against the other, intertwined their fingers at their sides. Something shifted in Jack's chest.
He kissed her gently. She licked his jaw, ran her tongue around the rim of his ear. She looked like she'd been thoroughly loved. Like he felt. "What are you doing to me?"
She laughed. "Learning every single inch of your body. Any objections?"
Jack grinned, pulled her further into the suite. "Absolutely none."
But he did need time to clear his head. She'd had just owned him, instead of the other way around. He didn't like it.
"Let's have a drink," he suggested. Jack slipped into the bathroom to dispose of the condom. Glanced in the mirror. Sex with her was the best you've ever had, man. But it had left him still wanting more. More sex. More of her.
He strolled into the kitchen. Stared as Liberty swayed her hips to the couch. His eyes glued themselves to her full, but oh, so tight ass.
She sat on the sofa, her pose unconsciously provocative, one foot tucked beneath her. She offered him glimpses of her glistening sex whenever she moved. His cock pulsed, jerked.
Whipped was a new experience for him.
"Do you want me to leave?" she asked with quiet dignity.
Jack set the bottle of wine he'd just started to pour on the kitchen counter with a decided thump. Her confidence burned sexy as hell even as her words disconcerted.
"Leave? Sweetheart, I want you to stay the night. I won't get enough of your loving otherwise. Since tomorrow is Saturday, we're free. You down with that?"
She nodded. "I figured you'd had enough since you wanted to stop," shrugged her shoulder in a casual movement.
"Enough? I wanted to give you a break. There's a hell of a big difference. I don't want to hurt you. Make you sore. But it's for selfish reasons too," he admitted.
Her lips curved in a delicious suggestion of a smile. "Are you trying to tell me you want to imprint your touch on my skin, inside my.body?"
Jack couldn't stop from picking her sassy ass up in his arms and carrying her over to the kitchen counter. He held her gaze as he pushed her thighs apart so he could again appreciate her sensual beauty, then cupped her face in his hands and smiled.
"You are a beautiful lady--inside and out. I'm a lucky man to have met you." He poured a glass of wine, handed it to her.
"Sweet of you, Jack.I could say the same. But I won't for fear of it providing further nourishment for what I know must be a monstrous ego," Liberty teased.
Jack grinned. It was a shameless grin. One that told Liberty he was a man who enjoyed women. And whom women enjoyed. She'd known that. But she needed to keep that thought in the forefront of her brain.
She lifted her wine to her lips.
"Hungry?"
Set her glass back down, shot him a mischievous smile. "Do you have shirt with buttons?"
"Minx. I have several. But I wasn't thinking of going out. Chinese is awesome in bed."
Yeah. She bet it was.
He must have read her thoughts on her face because he set his glass on the counter, leaned closer. Held her eyes solemnly. His so unusual, so sensual she could fall in. Drown.
"I know what you're thinking. And it's true. I like women. They seem to like me," he said with a wry smile. Sobered. "But I've never.
"Chinese sounds great, Jack. You choose."
He wouldn't let it go. Paced the short length of the hotel suite kitchen. Pushed his hand through his hair. What else could the guy say?
It was the truth. "Its okay, Jack. I know."
He stopped pacing, came to stand in front of her. "No. It's not okay. I've really enjoyed getting to know you."
Liberty couldn't help it, she laughed. "Jack, the only thing we know about each other is we're dynamite in bed."
"You're the best I've ever had."
His eyes widened at the realization of what his words inferred. His cheeks flushed under his tan. "Slap me," he said soberly. "Really." Held her eyes. "I deserve it."
Yeah, he did. But Liberty knew he hadn't meant it the way it came out. "Try to redeem yourself, Jack. Say what you really mean."
"I'd rather have you slap me," he said, a rueful glint in his eye.
"Sorry. That's the easy way out. And if there is one other thing you need to know about me, it's that I'm not, and never have been, easy."
Silence engulfed the room.
Jack took her hand and pulled. "I want to lay with you. I'll tell you." He took her into the bedroom.
"Please lay down, Liberty."
Liberty lay on the sheets, the breeze from the ceiling fan a feather touch to her sensitive skin. Jack joined her, faced her, shared her pillow. His voice was low, his gaze unflinching.
"The moment I saw you," he said huskily, "you had me, Liberty. I felt like I'd been shot wearing a flak vest. Knocks the hell out of you, but you're okay."
He grazed her cheek with his finger.
"I wanted you. I wanted you so bad I broke my own rules. I don't date or sleep women I'm professionally involved with. It's unethical." He sighed. "But with you, I didn't care."
Maybe she was being played, but Liberty believed him. She allowed him to pull her into his arms, kiss her slowly. Deeply. Thoroughly.
She touched him. He turned to granite beneath her fingers.
Jack groaned. Opened his eyes. "Why do I think I'm going to need a condom in about thirty seconds?"
His voice was deep and amused. She rubbed against him, brushed her nipples against the smooth solid heat of his chest. Closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy the pleasure of feeling her nipples tingle, grow erect. Opened, and licked her lips at the sensual heat in his eyes. One corner of his mouth lifted in the barest hint of a smile.
She casually reached between them. Rolled his balls between her fingers.
Watched the muscles in his neck tighten convulsively, his pupils dilate. His husky voice teased, but the look in his eyes was anything but casual.
"Baby, if you want it slower this time, you better leave the boys alone."
But it's too soon," he added. "I don't want to hurt you. If you keep touching me like that."
"Don't even think of stopping this night of decadence."
"Don't make me get out my cuffs," she added, only half joking. "You'd deny both of us the chance to feed our hunger." She shot him a shy look through her lashes. "I don't think we'll be able to sate our bodies. Do you, Jack?"
Jack grinned, shook his head. "You're right. I don't think it's possible for us to feel sated. But the shy look.you don't possess a single reticent gene in your body, Liberty. You can't pull it off, babe."
"You wouldn't want me any other way," she shot back.
He slapped her ass playfully. "You're right. I wouldn't."
Liberty woke as the sun began to lighten the sky, glanced at the clock. Four fifty four. It had been after three before they'd spooned and fallen into an exhausted slumber. Despite the lack of rest, she felt great. She stretched, felt aches in places she'd never felt before. Jack made love with an intensity few men could touch. Not that she was an expert.
It wasn't just his stamina, nor his attributes--which her limbic brain had been right about--it had been amazing--but he possessed a touch, a sense of her deepest, darkest needs. And he met those needs with unquenchable hunger.
She slid under the sheet. Took him in her mouth.
"Hmmm. Baby, it's early for you to be so bad," Jack murmured, his voice whiskey rough with sleep.
His hands tangled in her hair, and she tossed her head side to side. God, his fingers felt good.and his taste.
He growled, rolled her to her belly. Liberty felt the rush of arousal spread its fingers through her sex. She pushed her bottom in the air, wiggled it.
A testosterone-filled laugh filled the bedroom. "You sure know how to ask," he teased.
He pressed light kisses on her cheeks, made her skin tingle, ache for more. Skimmed his finger down her crease, across her lips. Made her weep with joy.
Charmed his fingers inside. Her back arched, and she moaned.
"Bad girl. You're already wet," he said, shameless male appreciation in his voice.
Liberty heard the crinkle of foil as he opened, rolled a condom down his length. He rubbed his erection over her bottom, spanked her with its length. Then had the audacity to take his sweet time nuzzling against her slit.
Made her pant. Want to beg. She refused, but God she wanted too.
She took him inside her sheath one infinitesimal inch at a time.
"You're getting even. Admit it," he demanded hoarsely.
It was killing her too. "I admit nothing," she whispered. Her muscles quivered around him.
He pulled out to the tip of his head. Stopped.
Seconds passed like minutes. The only sound his desperate panting.and her quiet sobs.
"Take me Jack," she finally begged.
"Take it baby," he commanded, his deep voice raw, breaking as he thrust.
His groin kissed her ass. Her muscles tightened around his long thick length. He pumped into her wet heat, his short rapid strokes wanton in their hunt to release them both together. She screamed as pleasure melted through her lips, his continued thrusts taking her to a level of intensity she found almost painful.
"Liberty," he shouted.
She could feel his release pouring inside the condom. Hot, seeming to squirt forever. Jack eventually dropped on the bed next to her panting, his skin slick with sweat.
He removed the condom, dropped it in a tissue. Pulled her on top of him. Pushed her hair off her face, and kissed her tenderly. His eyes twinkled when he met her gaze minutes later.
"You're something else, you know that?"
"Animal or vegetable?" she teased.
He grinned. "Animal. You like getting it from."
She held her hand up. He stopped, but laughed huskily under his breath. Color heated her cheeks. "It's okay," she returned with a deliberate shrug of her shoulder.
Jack burst out laughing. "Baby, you were ready without foreplay."
She chuckled. "So I like it," she admitted. "I don't think that's a bad thing. And you sure."
"It's a very good thing. I enjoyed mounting my lioness." He rolled her beneath him again.
Liberty shook with laughter. Wiggled her butt against his groin. "So does that make you the "Lion King?"
"You're diabolical. Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do."
She glanced over her shoulder and his amber eyes laughed into hers. "I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I don't think I can get it up for a while. Between last night and this morning, you've worn my ass out."
Liberty rolled over, held her breasts out to him in invitation. Pinched her nipples, and watched the amber in his eyes burn. Watched him jerk, start to rise. "Trying to do, Jack?" she taunted. "I just did it."
"You're special."
The dazzling smile he sent her made her heart pound.
"But let's move." He swung his legs off the bed and stood. "Let's get out and enjoy the sunshine." He looked at his watch. "If we plan it right, we can be back in bed in four hours max."
Liberty leapt off the mattress, put her hands against his chest. Pushed. "Is that an invitation? Cause if it is, it sucks."
She wrapped her hand around his cock. "Ask me nice."
His serious eyes met hers. "Miss Valentino, would you give me the pleasure of returning to my bed for another night of intimacy?"
"Why Mr. Anderson, I thought you'd never ask. I'd be honored. Wait, that last part--it makes me gag."
He covered her hands with his, held them to his chest. Captured her gaze. "It will be an honor for me to make love to you again, Liberty."
His eyes were still serious, his face somber. Nothing any man had ever said to her made her feel as special as she felt in that moment. Liberty savored it. Had to fight the silly moisture that tried to form a mist over her eyes.
"Thanks, Jack. That was sweet," she said lightly.
He kissed her, a quick touch of his lips. "You shower first, and I'll order room service. I only need fifteen minutes."
Liberty tried to close the bathroom door, but it wouldn't shut. Peeked around. Jack stood motionless, his foot preventing the door from closing. "Why don't you bring your suitcase?" he asked quietly.
Liberty didn't quite know how to respond. "So you want to spend a few nights together?"
His eyes widened, and he smiled. "I want to spend every night I can with you. And the weekends."
He wanted more of her too.
The days flew, or so it seemed to Liberty. But Jack and she managed to cram a lot of loving into each one. And visited the zoo. And Victoria's Secret. Jack chose several outfits he wanted to see her in. She'd never worn garters before, but with stilettos, Liberty had to admit they reeked of sin.
They even squeezed in a trip to an adult toy store. Now that was a new experience for her. She'd had no idea there were so many fun "toys" available for play dates.
And Jack.he was insatiable. But then, so was she. He had a fetish for stilettos on a naked lady. And as long as she wore her cowboy hat, he let her cuff him and ride him. The whisper soft riding whip was an unexpected hit, with its feather tip to taunt his head until he pleaded for release. He was truly, "rode hard, and put up wet," when she finished with him.
The two weeks flew by. They went to the park on their last Saturday together, spread a blanket, and drank wine. Laughed and talked for hours. Talked about their dreams, their aspirations for the lives.
Night brought a new urgency to their lovemaking, a frantic coupling of their bodies. Jack never let her out of his arms. The sun rose on the horizon before she drifted off.
When Liberty woke, she smiled at the empty spot on the sheets where it was obvious Jack had lain. He always beat her out of bed. The man had an amazing ability to run on almost no sleep. "Jack?"
Silence met her question. Liberty slipped out of bed, strolled into the mini-kitchen. Stopped.
No Jack. No note. She looked around. And nothing left in the suite that would indicate he'd ever been there.
Jack was gone.
Her stomach rolled. She raced to the bathroom and hung her head over the toilet. Afterward, she mechanically brushed her teeth,and got dressed. Threw her clothes into the suitcase she'd moved into the suite at his request. She couldn't bring herself to stand under the water where they had made love for the past two weeks.
Sexual hunger had consumed them. But the second week, something had changed. They'd still been hungry for each other, but they had talked a lot too. Said things one didn't share unless a relationship existed. Or so she'd thought.
Liberty sat down in the middle of the room and did something she had never done before. She cried from the pain burning in her chest. Allowed the sobs torn from her heart to fill the room. When she had no more tears left, she sat. Empty.
He had genuinely seemed to like her, to respect her. And she'd fallen for him, head over heels for the first time in her life. She'd had relationships, but never love.
Dad was right, Liberty acknowledged. Painful sobs jerked from her chest again. Why would any man want to be with her? He had told her she was nothing special. She'd accepted it. Until the past two weeks..
God, I was such a fool. With his looks, success, skill at making a woman feel special, why l did I allow my delusions to get so grand? Think he would want me for more than a hot roll in the hay?
Exhausted, Liberty rose from the floor. Splashed cold water on her face. Picked up her suitcase and took one last look around. A look at the place where she had allowed herself to dream. To think she might have a family of her own one day.
Never again, she told herself fiercely. Never will I be foolish enough to think I have what it takes to hold a guy for more than sex.
Liberty dropped her suitcase inside the door, closed her eyes for a moment. Absorbed the presence of the home where she'd spent her entire childhood, surprised at the missing warmth.
"Mom. Where are you?"
Her dad shuffled slowly into the room, his face haggard, his clothes rumpled and stained.
"She died while you were out partying," he said harshly.
"When?" Liberty whispered. The shock of loss was so painful she stood frozen, shivering. Her arms wrapped tightly around her body to hold her in one piece.
The doctor had told them she had another two months, her heart cried. It's not fair. She wasn't supposed to go yet.and I didn't get to tell her goodbye.
"Wednesday night. What you were doing when she passed?" he asked, each word stark in its bitterness.
Liberty reeled in agony. Closed her eyes.
Oh God. I was making love. Forgive me. I didn't know. You were supposed to be here when I came home, mom. Please, please, forgive me.
She slowly opened her eyes. Met her dad's icy stare.
Watched him raise his fist. Shake it. "You ungrateful bitch," he snarled. "After all she did for you, you run out on her when she needs you the most. I want you out of my house tonight. And take that damn parrot with you." He turned and shuffled into the kitchen.
Never saw Liberty's knees give way. Never saw her slip to the floor, saw her sob without sound, her arms wrapped tightly around her chest. Never saw her body rocking back and forth as her mind shut down, unable to cope with the pain of losing the only person who'd ever understood her. Until Jack.
And he'd left her too. But of his own free will.