Shadow Maverick Ranch Box Set Page 4

  A hand stroked down her back and came to rest at the band of her bikini. Fingers toyed across the delicate material. “I’ve been dying to do this for years.”

  The kiss that came next resembled the body that held her. Demanding. Hard. Unforgiving. His tongue pressed in, stroking, tasting, giving her exactly what she wanted. Desire coiled in her stomach and the flesh between her thighs turned slick with need.

  When he pulled back, she didn’t have time to think before he scooped her into his arms and carried her through the house and into an enormous bathroom.

  Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She loved this part, the excitement of the unknown. Would he take her nice and easy, or rough and fast? Would he ensure her pleasure, or expect her to find it on her own? God, that would be disappointing, but certainly not the first time a lover had left her to her own devices.

  “I’ve wanted you to do that, too,” she admitted as he set her back on her feet.

  He reached into a drawer and grabbed a condom before he closed the glass door, shutting them into a shower big enough for at least two more people.

  “Oh, yeah?” His fingers feathered the side of her breast. “Had I known, I might not have waited so long to oblige.” He cupped her breasts, his fingers toying with her nipples. “What about this, Lauren? Have you thought about me doing this?”

  “Mmm.” She arched into him. “Yes. And more,” slipped out before she could stop it.

  His chuckle was deep and entirely male. “More, huh?”

  A hand ran up her thigh, his knuckles brushing the material covering her sex. A whisper, nothing more, yet she’d felt it all the way to her toes.

  “Get these off, sweetheart. I’m inclined to see you in that bikini later, and if I have to do it, it won’t come off in one piece.” He tugged at the elastic, then left her to complete the job. He turned a few knobs, and cursed as water splashed over him.

  “Fuck, that’s cold.”

  Lauren kicked her bikini aside and pressed her chest to his back, snaking her hands around his waist. She traveled up the ropes of muscle, her thumbs finding and flicking over his nipples before spreading her fingers and heading south. “Not too cold, I hope.”

  “You tell me.” He grabbed her wrist and moved her hand to his cock. Thick and heavy, she wrapped her hand around him and stroked up, her thumb teasing over the silky head.

  “Not cold. Hot. Oh!” She jumped in surprise, releasing him as water came at them from all directions then—raining down from overhead. From jets, strategically placed within the shower’s tile walls, massaging her back, butt, and thighs.

  Gavin turned to face her, a predatory grin dimpling his cheeks as he licked his lips. He was gorgeous, glistening wet, his eyes glazed with need. He took her breath away.

  “Now, where were we?”

  He took her mouth again and Lauren was lost. Hands were everywhere at once. Demanding, urgent. His—down her spine, fingers digging into the flesh of her ass, drawing her closer. Hers—grasping tight, broad shoulders, fingers lacing around his corded neck as she arched into him.

  He broke the kiss and trailed his lips down her throat, over her collarbone. “I hope you’re planning to stay awhile.”

  “Why is that?” A shudder racked her body as his thigh rode up between her legs, supporting her weight in the most delicious manner.

  Her shoulders met the wall of the shower. His chuckle was dark, promising. “It’ll take at least a week, maybe more, to satisfy all the naughty things I’ve imagined doing with you.”

  As if to demonstrate, he captured a nipple and sucked it deep into his mouth. An insistent pulse beat in her pussy, her body craving, desperate for whatever he had in mind.

  “How about you start right now?” she panted and rocked against him, the hair on his legs teasing the bare lips of her sex.

  “Your wish is my command, gorgeous.” He nipped and nuzzled before releasing her breast. Slowly, so slowly, he lowered his leg, removing the stimulation. “Keep your hands here,” he said as he spun her to face the wall and placed her palms flat against the tile.

  “What are you—” She tried to turn back, but he tightened his hold. She didn’t want to keep her hands there, she wanted to touch him, feel him.

  “Trust me,” he whispered against her ear. “You’ll like this.” His tone held the promise of naughty delights.

  She gasped as he quickly adjusted a few of the jets. She tried to step back, to turn away as water pinged her nipples.

  “Wait. Give it a minute.” His hands tightened on her waist, effectively holding her still.

  Blood rushed to the surface of her skin and her body became a mass of wildly sensitive nerve endings. Her nipples ached, a sensation bordering on pain, as the jets continued their torment. She held still, intrigued and wanting to please him, to discover what he’d do next.

  His wicked fingers played over her skin, teasing her belly button as warm water played havoc on her breasts. He moved lower, strong fingers toying over her mound, lower still. His palms pressed against her inner thighs.

  “Spread your legs for me, baby. Slide your feet apart, I’ve got you,” he coached as she did what he asked.

  Thumbs parted her folds, held her as the cool air and warm water danced over her flesh. She cried out, her thighs trembling as a subtle shift opened her to more torment, another stream of water aimed precisely at … oh my god.

  “Gavin.” A whimper left her lips as a finger breeched her opening and slid deep.

  “You’re so beautiful, Lauren. Wet and ready for me.” His breath tickled her ear. “I’ve thought about this, you know. About touching you.”

  His finger eased out, spreading moisture over her swollen folds before flicking at her clit.

  The man was talented. He was going to make her come with water and a finger, but she wanted more than that. Needed more.

  Her fingers curled against the tile as she thrust her hips back, losing the sensation of the water, but gaining the feel of his erection pressed hard against the cleft of her ass.

  “Is this how you want me to fuck you, Lauren?” He shifted and she felt the head of his cock nudge her opening. “From behind? Balls deep until you scream?”

  Behind, in front, upside down. She didn’t care as long as he did something.

  She loved he was so raw, so blatant, as if driven by primal need rather than a need to be polite. She didn’t want polite. The suave, controlled Gavin of the boardroom would’ve never asked her how she wanted to be fucked. Sweet heaven, this Gavin, naked Gavin, was much more powerful, more intimidating, than when dressed in his finest business suit.

  And more terrifying, because she couldn’t have him for more than a fling.

  “I asked you a question, sweetheart.”

  The subtle reminder at her ear was accompanied by a light nip at the sensitive skin at the base of her neck. A nip the devil on her shoulder took as a challenge.

  She brushed water out of her eyes and craned her neck to look over her shoulder. “And if I don’t answer?”

  He shoved his hair off his forehead and tilted his head, allowing water to wash over his face. When he looked at her again, his dimples were back, softening the heat in his gaze. “Then I’ll get to live out two fantasies, right here in this shower.” She forgot to breathe as a warm, wet palm caressed the globe of her ass, forgot to think as that hand dished out a playful swat. “What’s it gonna be, baby doll? I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to wait to slide into your beautiful pussy.”

  “Do it,” she groaned and pushed back, not sure if she’d just agreed to be spanked or fucked.

  Not sure she cared either way.

  * * *

  Gavin was burning alive. His need to go slow, to savor his first taste of the amazing woman in his arms, charred to ash as she gave him one of the sexiest, standing-lap-dance moves he’d ever seen.

  Everywhere he touched … pure silk. She trembled under his hands, in anticipation or trepidation, he didn’t know. Didn’t
care. If he did decide to spank her luscious ass as he’d insinuated, she’d enjoy it. He’d make damn sure of it.

  For now though … he trailed his fingers across her hip, her belly, down through the neat little patch of curls on her mound. Her folds were smooth, wet, and his cock throbbed in agony as he pondered going to his knees, taking her in his mouth until she came all over his lips.

  “God, what are you waiting for?”

  Jesus, her needy plea had his hands shaking like a teenager as he turned the lever to cut off the water, then flipped the switch to open the steam vents.

  “Hands on the bench,” he demanded as he grabbed the condom and rolled it on.

  He caught her smile as she slapped her hands against the marble seat. The curve of her back deepened as she lowered her shoulders and wiggled her ass in blatant invitation.

  “Like this?”

  He needed to be inside her. Now.

  “Oh yeah,” he stepped behind her and positioned the head of his cock at her opening. “Perfect.”

  Combined groans filled the space as he eased into her moist heat. Lauren arched her hips, taking him deeper. He sank deep and stilled, giving her time to adjust. Fuck, she was tight.

  He felt her impatience, knew she was close. He rocked his hips, shallow at first, as he focused on the subtle signs of her body. The soft whimpers coming from her throat, the rise and fall of her breath, the slick channel holding him snug as a glove. With a final thrust, he buried himself to the hilt, gritting his teeth against the sweet agony of her pussy tightening around him.

  “Harder, Gavin. Please,” she panted.

  Gavin loved that she wasn’t afraid to ask for what she wanted. Such a turn-on. He bent closer and placed a kiss on the back of her neck. The steam surrounding them was tinged with her scent, wildflowers and arousal. He fucking loved that scent.

  “My pleasure, baby.” He shifted his feet and tightened his hands on her hips, holding her in place. He pulled back, then surged into her again.

  He forgot everything except the back and forth that propelled him to paradise. Her body tightened a moment before she cried out and when her pussy contracted, pulsed around him, he exploded in a burst of ecstasy that left him gasping for air.

  “That was…” There weren’t words adequate enough to finish his sentence.

  “The best shower ever?” she offered.

  “Without a doubt.” He pulled from her and quickly disposed of the condom.

  He kissed her forehead, her eyelids, the tip of her cute little nose. He wrapped his arms around her. She uttered a happy sigh and snuggled into his chest. “What do we do now?”

  Gavin suspected she meant their relationship, but he wasn’t ready to talk about that yet. Not while his body hummed with pleasure and they were still naked.

  “I vote for a proper shower, and then you let me take you to bed.”

  “Hmm, bed sounds nice. I could use some sleep.”

  “Oh no, baby doll,” he flipped a lever, laughing at her squeak of protest as cool water washed over them. “I didn’t say anything about sleep.”

  Chapter Six

  Lauren awoke to the sounds of waves hitting the beach, a warm breeze filtering the salty sea air through the screens on the windows.

  She stretched, stiff in spite of the comfortable bed. The activity that had taken place on the enormous mattress had her body aching in the most interesting places.

  Gavin had been insatiable, testing her limits again and again before they’d fallen into an exhausted sleep. He was demanding and attentive as he learned her body. He knew what she needed without words or instruction. He drove her to the brink, pushed her higher than she’d ever thought possible, then cradled her as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her.

  Was she complaining? No. Was he dangerous to her heart? Oh, hell yes.

  Being with Gavin was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. How was she going to survive without him when even now, sated and happy, she craved his touch? She brought the sheet to her nose, drawing in his spicy scent. Oh yeah, she was in a world of trouble.

  Easing from the bed, she put her feet on the floor, gingerly sliding weight to her legs. A little wobbly, but they’d hold her up. Get a cup of coffee in her and she’d be good to go. And she was dying to check out the beach.

  After brushing her teeth and hair, she put on yoga pants and a tank top, and padded on bare feet to the kitchen.

  “There you are.” Gavin sat at the table, shirtless—to her delight—his laptop open in front of him. “You’re working?” She had to bite her tongue to keep from asking more. Clearwater wasn’t her problem anymore, but it didn’t stop her instincts from firing. She didn’t want to care, really she didn’t, but there was no magical switch to turn off twelve years of hard work.

  “No. Just sending a few files to my investment consultant.”

  “Wait a minute,” she arched a suspicious brow. “I thought you said this place didn’t have Internet.”

  He glanced up, a smirk teasing the corners of his mouth. “Yeah, I wasn’t entirely truthful about that. There’s no hard line into the house, but…”

  “You have wireless access.” She had a crazy urge to drop into his lap and kiss him. Her body responded to his proximity, yearned for his touch as if she’d been without it for weeks instead of hours. She felt no morning-after awkwardness, no embarrassment over the things he’d done to her, the screams he’d pulled from her throat.

  She felt … happy. Which, under the circumstances, was a welcome surprise. “Ah, the truth comes out, Mr. Mathis. Your deceit to get me into bed knows no bounds,” she teased.

  His smile slowly died, replaced by a look she couldn’t comprehend.

  “Lauren. I—”

  “Whoa.” She raised her palms to stay him. “Kidding. And anyway, I was a willing participant. No coercion necessary.” She indicated the coffee pot. “Do you mind?”

  “Help yourself.”

  “Thanks. So, even though you tried to trick me into relaxing, I’m actually relieved to know there’s Internet access.”

  A pained noise emanated from his throat. What was his deal this morning? She gave him a quizzical look before filling a cup. “I know I’m not supposed to be working, but I’d like to get a jump on the job market. Maybe do a little research and make a few contacts, that kind of thing.”

  She could feel his scrutinizing gaze tracking her movements. She propped a hip against the counter and sipped the strong brew.

  “There’s sugar on the counter. I don’t have cream, but I’ll be going out later. Make a list of what you need and I’ll pick it up for you.”

  That was nice. Sweet, actually. But, she wouldn’t let him wait on her while she was here. This was his home, but she hadn’t come here to be a pampered guest. She’d expected to have to fend for herself, and the idea of Gavin taking care of her warmed her insides a little too much. She couldn’t get emotionally attached to him, no matter how much he’d rocked her world last night. He’d be leaving soon. He had a job to get back to. It was best to keep things light and easy.

  “Thanks, but you don’t need to do anything special for me. Do you need to use my rental car?” She hadn’t seen a car in the driveway when she’d gotten in last night.

  He closed the laptop and settled back in his chair, folding his hands across his stomach. Lauren fought not to stare at the tattoo that so intrigued her. She’d had plenty of time to investigate the design last night, tracing with her tongue the tribal lines that began below his elbow and traveled up, encompassing the strong curve of his biceps. An intricate emblem, one resembling a labyrinth, adorned the arc of his shoulder. More lines curved over his collarbone, and trailed down to the tip of his shoulder blade. It was impressive work. Masculine and seriously hot.

  “My brothers delivered my truck earlier.”

  “Brothers?” How long had he been up?

  There were those damn dimples again. “Yep. Three. And a couple of sisters too.”

  �
��Good lord. What was that like? Growing up with so many siblings?”

  He chuckled. “Chaotic. Although the younger two didn’t come along until the year I’d moved off to college, the four of us older kids caused enough trouble to drive our parents plenty crazy. You have any brothers or sisters?”

  “No, it’s just me. I grew up outside of—“

  “Atlanta,” he finished for her and unfolded himself from the chair. He palmed his mug and, instinctively, she grabbed the coffee pot.

  “How did you know I’m from Atlanta?” They’d rarely discussed non-work related things, but she’d known he was from Texas so it made sense he’d know the same about her.

  She refilled his cup, but he set it aside. “I know lots of things.” He cradled her cheek, leaned in and captured her bottom lip, gently tugging it between his teeth. She opened for his questing tongue, enjoying the lazy way he went about tasting her. As if he had all the time in the world to explore her lips, her mouth.

  She melted against him.

  The silky strands of his hair curled around her fingertips. She was vaguely aware of her coffee mug being removed from her grip, but was more than grateful to have another hand free to slide over his chest.

  He felt so good. Hard planes and ridges. His muscles bunched and rolled under her touch. Warm, rough, ruggedly male.

  There was no urgency, no ripping off of clothes. He went slow. Leisurely.

  Heaven.

  All too soon, he eased back. Like the kiss, reality took its time returning to her. She opened her eyes with a satisfied hum.

  Oh, this man was definitely dangerous.

  With a wicked smile, he continued where he’d left off. “I know your father was a judge, your mother a homemaker. You graduated early and sailed through college and grad school.” He reached out, smoothed a piece of hair behind her ear. “You’re extremely beautiful.” His fingers lingered, tracing the shell of her ear before dropping away. “And I know you prefer not to drink your coffee black.” He gave her a look, as if challenging her to deny all he’d said. “It’s not as if we’re strangers, Lauren. We’ve worked together for a long time.”