Tempted by Trouble

chapter TEN


He all but pushed her into the room and slammed the door behind her, not giving her the chance to say yes, no, or maybe. From inside the room, she heard the front door slam shut. She couldn’t see outside toward the front of the house but the scream of his tires peeling out of the drive was unmistakable.

Where was he going? The image of his housekeeper flooded her thoughts. No way. Besides she was married. And marriage seemed to mean a lot to the McClemores. Charmers all of them and heaven help the women in this town from Matt and his single brothers. Even his sister seemed hell bent. She’d passed the local bar on her way to the ranch. The town was small but wouldn’t you know they’d have a large bar and dance club for the local ranches. He was probably the stud about Annona. Hadn’t she already seen him in action? He could do a meet and greet in five and then sweet-talk his way into any woman’s bed. Or heart. There had to be a line a mile long of breathless cowgirls wanting his attention.

Damn it, damn it, damn it. Good going. Push him away by acting like he didn’t matter.

She wanted to throw something. Hurl away her emotions; and if only it were possible to drain away her anger and frustration. She didn’t have anything or anyone to fight in front of her.

The second this job was done she’d hit the road, but right now she stared at the shut door. She couldn’t push her emotions away and the pressure built and brewed until she was boiling inside.

Without seeping, there came weeping. A bubble filled her chest, expanding until she couldn’t breathe, and her diaphragm stretched tight, ready to tear into pieces. The corners of her eyes were bone dry and it felt like she was getting ready to shed shards of glass.

One, then another, projectile droplets squeezed out. Just like that, the dike was uncorked. Tears tumbled down her cheeks. Not the low-key kind or even a ladylike drizzle; but big sloppy drops splattering upon impact. Time-lapsed photography would reveal these were the tsunami of tears and the reason why she didn’t cry for long. She ended up looking like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, suffering from chest convulsions and inevitably, her sobs turned into a huge, hiccupping mess.

Without contemplating the future or the past afternoon, and not wanting to think about being alone inside this room, a strange detachment was born leaving her feeling detached and numb.

She didn’t recall crossing the room. At the bed, she pulled back the comforter and sank to the cool flat sheet. Her head fell upon the pillows, her eyes burning from the flood of tears, and all she could do was focus on her next breath.

She closed her eyes and Matt filled in the spaces of her mind. The scent of him overwhelmed her if she tried to hold on to the memory. Her body responded as if he was in the room, right there next to her and she moaned.

• • •

Was it hours that she had fallen asleep or minutes? She pressed her cellphone and it was nearly midnight. His words kept returning to her. She didn’t know exactly what transpired to get them off track. One moment they were near to climaxing and the next they were separated by doors and walls and words.

She got out of bed. Her clothing was wrinkled and she wiped fingertips across her face. With her makeup bag in hand, she went to the bathroom, washed her face and brushed her teeth. Patting her mouth with the corner of the towel, she held her gaze in the mirror. Her eyes didn’t look back at her, but searched instead for the answer as to what Matt was doing at that moment.

The lock on the bedroom door was on her side. It didn’t mean a thing if she went into the living room. She wasn’t a prisoner, just not the perfect guest she imagined Matt was accustomed to “entertaining.”

With the doorknob in hand, a flitter of nerves assaulted her stomach. Outside in the hall it was dark, but not pitch black, and she walked toward the foyer, the dividing point of the house. Beyond lay the living room and on the other side of the house, Matt’s room.

She crossed the cold floors, glancing at the front doors and wondering if Matt had returned. His keys were in the bowl on the side table.

“I’m here,” he whispered from the dark. She would have walked right by him not knowing exactly where she was going. He slowly rose from the sofa and pulled her into his arms. He didn’t do more than hold her. Gently swaying. No music, only their breathing and the sound of their feet moving over the floor.

His lips brushed against hers, without stopping, light as a breeze and warm. His touch made her want more, much more. She was thirsty for his kisses. His mouth hovered above her lips. “What do you want?”

She closed her eyes for a brief moment. “You,” she breathed out. “I want you.”

His lips caught hold of hers, he delved his tongue into her mouth, exploring and savoring, giving her the chance to relax under his touch until she was heated and ready to go on. This didn’t seem so wrong when his touch was gentle and sweet, and there wasn’t any danger of someone barging in on them.

Her body responded to each sweep of his tongue and his hands slowly glided up and down her skin, going from pleasantly heated to warm and sensual, her center melting, and she shivered each time his fingers trailed along her neck.

“I love how sensitive your skin is to my touch,” he whispered.

“You can’t imagine how your hands feel on me.”

She moved her fingers up the skin of his arms. He was shirtless and she didn’t lightly rub, but put pressure on her palms and pushed. The friction of flesh over flesh released molten ripples of pleasure coursing all over her body.

He bent and picked up a crystal goblet. He returned and pressed the edge to her lips. He tipped the glass and obliging him, she tasted his sweet red wine. He sipped from the same spot on the glass.

She moved her head down to his chest and flicked her tongue over and around his flat nipples. Licking across each, she lightly swirled her tongue feeling his muscles tense. Each one shrank and tightened as his belly sucked inward. He pulled her upward and coaxed her to drink another sip, then he drained the glass and set it down. His hands framed her face and he kissed her until she returned his kiss, movement for movement. She followed his lead, their heads slanting and their arms and hands rubbing, kneading, and holding.

Their bodies moved, bumped into furniture and walls, a slow sensual ricocheting dance of need and desire. He didn’t stop, but kept her body against him, soft meeting hard, hip-to-hip, heartbeat fluttering and echoing across chests.

The flames he ignited were unlike any she’d experienced. Slowly, he took his time; without haste, he taught her to savor the subtle. She wanted to cross over barriers of flesh, bone, and breath, move beyond words and thoughts into the timeless where she didn’t need to worry about the future.

“Do you want to come to my bedroom?” he asked, still holding her tight in his arms.

“Show me the way,” she said.

He slowly eased from her, drawing away the warmth of their contact and making her want another chance to slide her tongue into his mouth to taste wine and smoke and him.

She didn’t have to wait long. His arm snaked around her waist, rejoining their bodies. He led her toward a different hall, down a corridor toward an open doorway.

One lamp shone in the corner. His massive king size bed was centered against one wall, flanked by matching nightstands of dark wood. The room was open, as was his whole house, and done in blues and greens, reminding her of trees, sky, and water. He stopped before they entered the room.

He swung her against the hallway wall and pinning her with his body, and framing her face with his hands. “You are the first woman I’ve brought back here. No one else has been in this house. I understand we started out on the wrong foot. I don’t bring women back to the ranch just for the hell of it.” He gently shook her as if she needed help absorbing his message.

And she did. She wanted him right here and right now. She understood he was trying to make her feel comfortable and that made a whole world of difference. He lit a fire and she was ready.

None too gently, she twined his hair between her fingers and pressed up against him. “Just so you know, I don’t sleep around either, cowboy.”

“Oh, baby, I got that message loud and clear.”

He rotated and swept her into his room. There were double French doors leading outside. Moonlight cast silvery shadows into the room. She looked up and there were mirrors on the ceiling. She gasped and turned toward him. “What do you do with those?”

“So far, waited and wondered if this day would ever arise. I actually started contemplating removing them.” He shut the bedroom door and joined her next to the bed.

“Don’t, ever.” She eyed the mirrors, the corners of her mouth lifting, and turned back to Matt. “So sexy.”

“Only if you’re reflected. Not so attractive waking up to my own face.”

He nuzzled her neck and as if testing her, scooped up her bottom and rubbed her against him. She moved closer, wanting him to know she had no second thoughts. Her hands slipped from around his neck, sliding down his arms and all the while, she kept her gaze locked with his. Tonight was all about stepping outside herself, not trying to plan or formulate what her future held.

When his finger traced a line from her jaw, down her neck, past her collarbone, he hesitated. She nodded and he kept going slowly, causing her whole body to tingle. Ending at the hem of her shirt, he hooked his finger, and their eyes met.

“Shall we?” he asked. “How about we undress?”

“You first,” she whispered, but it was too late. His fingers pulled and plucked at her shirt, and she scrambled to unbutton the top buttons.

“Lift your arms. No more unbuttoning.” The material glided easily over her head. And then she was met with a heat wave emanating from his eyes, caressing her skin, descending along her body. Shadows fell across his face until he smiled and his teeth flashed white in the darkness. Matt’s torso kept her enthralled, rippling muscle here and there as he moved in the moonlight.

Power emanated from him. He didn’t stand and look but moved away from her, over to the night stand. Matt picked up and struck a match, the burst of flame cast a column of light that licked his face and chest. She stared at his smooth and almost hairless torso except for wisps that swirled around his nipples and formed a diamond in the center. His stomach was a roadmap of grooves over planked muscle. Never mind a six-pack; there were too many ridges to count.

“Shall I undress you further?” He didn’t wait for her response.

Strong fingers were at her waist and she kept looking at him. His chest was bathed in flickering light from the candle. He caught her chin and lifted. “We’ll go as slow as you need.”

Carolina swallowed a bout of nerves and refused to break their gaze. She bit her bottom lip that had begun to quiver. He kissed her, his mouth warming her lips and her body responded. His naked arms were under her hands; he didn’t move but let her explore the feel of him. His mouth brought her to the point of wanting more than a connection with his face. Her whole body tingled, alive with excitement.

“I need you. Inside me.” She pulled on her the zipper of her skirt down. The material dropped to the floor and she stepped beyond the ring surrounding her ankles. She unhooked her bra and stood before him equally topless. His eyes caressed her skin and kept staring at her breasts.

He grasped her elbow, helping her to come closer. His finger traced the skin below her ear, over her jaw, and she moved her head, capturing the tip between her teeth. She lightly bit, and then sucked on his finger. He moved his finger down her neck, so lightly over her collarbone. Her nipples beaded into maddening points, beacons of ache and longing and she held back from crushing her body into his.

Ever so gently, he moved his hands over her chest and downward, making her breath hitch as he trailed the tip of his finger over and along the curve of her breast and took possession of her nipple. No longer gentle, his fingers flicked, rolled and plucked the tip, sending twining sensations through her body. Matt used his other hand to grasp her by the hip, squeezing before moving his hand upward along her ribcage. Staying still required every ounce of concentration while he ran his fingers up her waist. When he captured her breast, a whole-body spasm unfurled making her tremble.

He kneaded both breasts, thumbing her nipples until she groaned. “I’m coming undone. Please.” She rubbed his hands, watching as he bent his head down, taking her nipple into his warm mouth, sucking and delivered what she wanted.

The feel of his wet tongue and mouth on her skin, sent shivers up and down her body. She threaded her fingers through his hair needing to get closer to him, wanting him to consume her entirely. Letting go of his head, she arched against him, running her hands over his neck and broad bare shoulders.

“You feel so good.” A line of pleasure, electrical and jolting, ran from his mouth through her breast and struck her between her legs as if a switch were flipped. Her abdomen muscles convulsed in response to the pulsations in between her thighs. She grew moist, her sex swollen, and she was so close to begging him to do more. His mouth had her ready to incinerate if he continued or stopped.

She moaned and the pressure under her fingers increased. His mouth alternated between her breasts, teasing her with languid licks to squeezing sucks and biting nips. The thrumming of anticipation tightened, her longing for fulfillment filled her, and she was ready to burst apart, overflowing and drenching her panties.

“Matt, you driving me crazy.” She dug her fingers into his shoulders, twisting in his arms.

He lifted his head, a low laugh rumbled in his chest. Muscular arms encircled her waist, bringing her flush against him, crushing her breasts over his chest.

“Don’t hold back from me. Give me everything you’ve got.” Pulling her to him, he avidly reclaimed her lips with a kiss that felt as if he were f*cking her mouth.

As if she had a choice. There was no way to hold back from him as her body trembled with pleasure. Tilting her head, she hungered for the way his tongue dominated her completely; she opened her mouth giving him better access, holding onto to him when her knees liquefied. Scalding lips sucked hers, his tongue stroked the inside of her mouth and she wildly responded to him. Wrapping her mouth around his tongue, she sucked him, rocking her hips into his body, rubbing her crotch up and down his erection.

Carolina shoved her hands down into his jean pockets, groaning, she reached for and pulled the top button loose. She wiggled impatiently taking hold of his waistband. “Damn I wish your pants would just disintegrate.”

“Baby, oh there.” Every muscle along his stomach hardened as she brushed across the head of his cock.

Power. That’s what this was, and she lingered long enough to stroke him up and down, not stopping until he was the one near the brink.

“How does that feel?” He nipped her lip, as a growl escaped from his mouth.

“You’re playing with fire. Want to see what I’ve got waiting for you. Keep teasing me.” He pushed her up against the wall, grinding himself in between her legs. His hands took hold her bottom, pushing his erection against her belly.

“I want more.” Focusing upon pulling down his zipper and removing down his pants, she nearly tripped trying to tug his waistband off his hips. Quick-thinking on his part kept her upright when all she could do was stare at his manhood that was on partially on display. She arched back to capture the base of his shaft. His belly was a wall of muscle as hard as his cock. The sight of the head of his shaft made her bite her lip.

“Stroke me, God I’ve waited to feel your hands on my dick.” He lowered his pants enough to grab hold of himself.

Inviting her to touch him, Matt guided her hand along his length. She stroked up his shaft, her thumb running over the crown and feeling the droplets of liquid. Again, she stroked him, swiping moisture over her finger, and then she used it to flick the underside ridge beneath the tip.

The gasping inhalation of his breath spurred her on.

“I want to taste you.”

“Not another word,” he panted. “Take me in your mouth.”

With that, she lowered toward the floor until she was seated on her heels, tugging on his pants and jockey shorts all the way down. When his cock sprang free, she gasped. Ruddy, slick, and so engorged he was ready to burst it seemed. He stuck out directly in front of her face, teasing her mouth and tongue. This man had the goods possessing a large, thick member, and she pressed her knees together to stop the spasms between her legs. She ached to feel him pushing into her.

Carolina slowly licked the top of his erection, swirling her tongue around his head, and pushed her lips from the very top downward. One long lick down his shaft, and then she dragged her tongue upward to the head, enjoying his grunt.

She followed by feathering flicks over and around his crown. She sucked him into her mouth, relaxing to take him deeper. Moaning loudly, his hands firmly caressed the side of her head, lacing his fingers into her hair. “God, you feel so damn good. I own your mouth tonight.”

Salty drips from his cock ran over her tongue. “Mmm,” she savored the tangy taste of him. The force of his crown hitting the back of her throat made her curl her fingers around his base, stroking her hand to meet her mouth. Matt held her head up against him, and then he slowed his movements, allowing her to lazily move her lips upward and downward at her own pace. Any faster and she’d be ready to explode from the feel of him in her mouth. He ground himself forward without stopping, holding her head, and his thick cock filled her throat.

“Christ,” he whispered. “Can you do that again?” Thrusting again, she took him deep into her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes from his powerful pumping.

Her breasts rubbed against his legs, the movement brought a wave of pleasure from the peaks of nipples brushing against the hard muscle of his legs, spreading over her body. She moved her mouth in a rhythm going from slow to fast, her tongue working in concert with her lips.

“Ah, baby. I’m going to explode if you keep going. Come with me,” he whispered.

He lifted her and stepped free of his clothing. He twinned their fingers, crossing the room, he stopped next to his wide bed, and pulled back on the bedspread.

“Darling, I’ve can’t wait another second.” He patted the bed with a cocky grin. The bed was large enough for several people. She brushed past him, his shaft grazing her thigh, and he followed her onto the plush mattress.

No sooner was she in his bed, did he capture her within his arms, pressing his mouth along the line of her jaw and down her neck. She lay back on the pillows his body a welcome weight down upon her. Matt nibbled and moved his mouth covering her lips, kissing her harder than before, demanding intensity. They clung to each other only stopping to catch their breaths, and then he eased off her, his hand sliding down her waist. He sat upright, pushing up her knees, and reached on either side of her hips, slipping his fingers under the elastic of her panties.

He pulled and the material moved as the air bathed between her legs, cool over her wet p-ssy.

Once she was naked, he opened her thighs, running his hands down from her knees. She arched as if to meet his fingers and shivered. He kissed a line down her thigh where his finger had been. His fingers rimmed her folds, tracing a line, and she gasped. She tried to divide her focus on his mouth and fingers and the waves of pleasure. She closed her eyes as his finger stroked her slit.

“Matt,” she cried out.

He continued touching her without mercy. His slow stroke forced her upward and expanded a bubble of pleasure. He teased her, stroking, swirling and rubbing her. His finger found her * and she tensed her muscles, recoiling, her hips moved, and she was thrown upward, flexing against his fingers.

“Come for me. Show me how good this feels.” His words were mixed with her orgasm. Then he plunged his finger into her and she twisted the sheets in her fists, afraid she might scratch Matt with the force of her climax.

She didn’t know this type of sensation existed; her mind gave up thinking, and she floated in pleasure. The waves gave way and she took a deep breath. His mouth sucked her overstimulated * and she bucked against him. Unwavering, his tongue lapped at her p-ssy opening. The waves started up again; this wasn’t possible.

Oh, but it was. His tongue plunged inside her as if he would drink her into his mouth. His teeth scraped over her sensitive skin, his finger plunging into her again and again, curling and rubbing and twisting. He pushed her to take flight. Another rub and she was gone. Up and over, pushing past the crest of thinking, into an abyss of pleasure. Her muscles tightened around his fingers and she cried out his name.

“Carolina, you’re unbelievable.” His breath moved over her thighs and he kissed her legs, opening up her knees wider. “Baby, I’ve got to have you.”

She was still in a place of oblivion and his movements were shutter flashes of what she could grasp between squeezing her lids shut, waves moved over her body and then his cock grazed her sex. More than ever, she was convinced she was going to lose all sense of reason. This wasn’t possible. The tantalizing sensations he produced in her body stunned her, and there was more to come. She arched up and she was ready for him. His cock was at her opening, his hands on her hips, and he pushed into her.

“Oh, you feel so good,” he groaned. He drove into her until he met her center and he folded over her body. “Wrap your legs around my waist.”

She complied, barely able to comprehend his words. Matt rocked back and then thrust forward in one swift movement. Stilling for a moment, he worked his hips against hers before he moved into another hard thrust, sinking back into her. He kissed her, biting her bottom lip, flexing his body, pumping with greater force until he was slamming into her.

Thrust after powerful thrust, he hurled into her, his rhythm repeated over and over. His hands spread around her hips and he lifted, bringing her closer as he rocked his hips, slamming into her, pumping deeper until she cried out.

“I’m not hurting you, am I?” he rasped.

“No, you feel incredible. Just keep doing what you’re doing. It’s so good.”

This joining of their bodies was so much more. Sweet and wild and fierce. A potent link that struck something hidden in her.

If she thought she’d known pleasure, what he did caused her to rethink boundaries. He pushed up on his arms, arching his torso, and drawing and collecting his strength. He came at her with raw power, thrusting, and lunging into her, rocking his hips and then slamming into her again without giving her pause. A wall of muscle and lust unlocking a vault she didn’t even know she possessed. Her body found his pattern and she moved in a wild abandon, giving in to her need to claw him and he snarled. This union was beyond the here and now. Their bodies moved together and he was taking and giving her pleasure. Over and over, hard and fast, his cock pumped and pounded into her. His name on her lips was a vow of primal pleasure. Desire. Lust. Ache. All mixed and swam over her into a place of completeness. Bliss.

He shuddered and released, each spasm breaking up his voice. “Ca-ro-li-na.”

One last kiss and he collapsed next to her. She gazed over at Matt. He was utterly intoxicating now, just as she had found him before, and she stopped short of thinking beyond this moment. Sweat covered their bodies and they lay next to each other, him slightly covering her body, his arm curved around her hip possessively.