Читать книгу Playing With Desire - Reese Ryan - Страница 16

Chapter 7

Liam ordered a selection of brunch items from the restaurant downstairs. Fluffy, delicious waffles served with a side of mixed berries and whipped cream, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and freshly squeezed orange and grapefruit juice.

It was a beautiful morning, so he suggested they eat on the upstairs terrace. He was right. The daytime view of the Atlantic Ocean was stunning. She’d moved to Pleasure Cove following her divorce, to be near her half sister and as far away from her ex as possible. Even if that meant moving away from her parents and grandmother. Rarely had she taken a moment like this to truly appreciate the view as the gentle breeze tickled her skin.

“If I had a view like this, I’d eat out here every day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even in winter.” She sipped her grapefruit juice as the waves rolled onto the shore.

“You’d change your tune once you had icicles hanging from that adorable nose of yours.” His eyes crinkled. “Besides, it’s like anything else. No matter how shiny and amazing it is at first, after a while, the newness wears off.”

“Is that why you prefer no-strings-attached relationships? Because you get bored?” She could feel the heat of his stare as she surveyed the horizon.

He cleared his throat. “Don’t like complications. Had enough of those in my life.”

“Fair enough.” She returned her gaze to his and smiled. “Thank you for brunch, Liam. It was wonderful. I hate to eat and run—”

“Then don’t. Stay.” His dark eyes were insistent.

Maya’s stomach was tied in knots. She wanted to stay and live out the vivid fantasies that had been dancing in her head since their kiss, but no good could come of it.

So why is it so hard to say no?

She set down her glass and stood, her eyes not meeting his. “I can’t.”

“I don’t believe you.”

She picked up her coffee mug and headed back inside. “Well, it’s true.”

* * *

Liam followed her down the stairs and into the kitchen. Normally, he was much more direct, but Maya had been so reluctant that he hadn’t taken that approach with her. Now she was prepared to walk out the door. This was his final shot.

Time to turn up the heat.

He wrapped one arm around her waist and kissed her ear. “Stay.”

“This was a mistake. I’m not who you think I am.” Her breath hitched as he swept her hair aside and pressed his lips to the base of her neck. She smelled of soap, her skin freshly scrubbed. The floral scent, which had intoxicated him all night, was gone, yet it lingered in his senses.

“You’re not Maya Alvarez?”

“Of course I am.” Her voice trembled as he planted soft kisses at the spot where her neck and shoulder met.

“The incredibly sexy NGO coordinator with an amazing smile and wicked sense of humor?”

She paused a beat before responding, her chest heaving as her breath came in quick bursts. “Yes.”

Liam pulled her closer. Maya didn’t object or pull away. She inhaled deeply, then released a small sigh as her bottom nestled against the growing ridge beneath his slacks.

He hadn’t misread her cues. Maya wanted to stay. She only needed a little encouragement.

His hand drifted up her body, across her trembling belly, to the swell of her full breasts. He pressed his lips to her ear and lowered the timbre of his voice.

“Then I know exactly who you are, and unless I’m gravely mistaken, this is precisely what you want. What I can’t understand is why you’re so determined to fight it.”

She turned to face him, her breath ragged as she lightly pressed her fingertips to his biceps. “I’m not this girl. I don’t do things like this. I’m a m—”

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, cutting off her protests. Gripping the back of her neck, he kissed her hard. She melted into him as she kissed him back, fisting handfuls of his shirt.

Liam broke their kiss and placed his hands on either side of her face. His eyes locked with hers. “I want you, Maya. You want me, too, or you wouldn’t be standing here with me now. But I need to hear the words. Tell me what you want.”

She stared at him in silence, her body trembling as she caught her breath. Her mouth opened without sound. Finally, she whispered, “I want this, to be with you.”

He wanted to shag her right there in the kitchen. Hitch that hot little number up over her hips, rip off the silky knickers he’d had the briefest encounter with the night before and bend her over the sink. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of taking her from behind, buried to the hilt in that sweet little slit.

Yet, she was as skittish as a rabbit. Frightened by her own desires. He needed to take things slow or she’d be scared off, just as she’d been the night before.

Work your way up to the rougher stuff, mate. Start off with a little finesse.

He held his hand out. She regarded it warily before placing her trembling hand in his.

Liam led her to his bedroom. He kissed her slowly, sweetly, before easing her onto his bed. Her eyes were wild with excitement, maybe even a hint of fear. He needed to take his time with her. Put her at ease.

He pressed his mouth to hers. Started with soft, feathery kisses that became deeper. More passionate. She wrapped her leg around him, pulling him in deeper. Her body begged for more, even if she wasn’t prepared to give voice to her desires.

Liam glided a hand up her thigh, then underneath her dress. He skimmed his hand across her soft belly. Maya tensed. Perhaps she was self-conscious. She shouldn’t have been. He liked the feel of it. Of her. Her body was warm and inviting. He slid his fingers beneath the waistband of her knickers into the patch of soft curls.

A sharp intake of breath signaled that he’d hit her nub, slick and stiff. She was so wet. His knob twitched in anticipation. He’d felt a twinge of guilt earlier. This was what he envisioned from the moment she declared that she wasn’t going to sleep with him. As he glided two fingers back and forth over her sex there was no doubt she was as eager as he. He hadn’t tricked or deceived her. If anything, he’d freed her to do exactly what she’d desired all along.

Maya dug her nails into his shoulder. Her murmurs grew louder as she rocked her hips against his hand. His knob hardened painfully in response. He pressed his mouth to her ear.

“Glad you stayed, love. Would’ve been a shame to deprive us of such pleasure.”

She inhaled deeply without reply, working her hips against his hand.

His growl deepened. “Tell me you’re glad you stayed. That you love the way it feels when I touch you.”

She remained silent until he slowed his pace. Maya whimpered, her eyes pleading with him not to stop. That wouldn’t do. He needed to hear it.

“Say it.” He pressed his lips to her ear. “I need to hear the words.”

“I love the way it feels when you touch me. Please, don’t stop. It feels so—”

Her back arched and her hips lifted as he resumed the motion, forming a tight circle over the sensitive bud.

He slipped his fingers farther south, plunging them both inside her liquid heat while he continued caressing her with his thumb.

Everything about this woman was enticing. The warmth of her body. The way her full, round breasts shifted as she moaned. Her labored breathing. The scent of her arousal. All of it so tantalizing that he felt drunk with the power he wielded over her body. And he hadn’t even entered her yet.

His shaft strained against his trousers, more than ready to rectify that. He curled his fingers, massaging her inner walls until she cried out. He found her spot. Liam intensified his movements, inside and out, until she flew apart, her walls tightening around his fingers.

* * *

Maya lay on her back, shivering and trying to catch her breath as Liam removed his fingers from inside her.

He hadn’t lied about his skillful use of one hand.

Her head swam, and her heart raced. He climbed out of the bed and stripped off every inch of his clothing. She swallowed.

Color me impressed.

Her fists clenched involuntarily at the thought of taking his length in her hand. She licked her lips and raised her gaze to his.

He leaned down and kissed her, then rummaged in the drawer of his nightstand. Pulled out a foil wrapper, ripped it open and sheathed himself.

“Stand up.” His voice was gruff, his eyes hooded. She complied without complaint or question, standing as still as her quivering knees would allow. “Turn around.”

She did. Liam slowly unzipped her dress, allowing it to pool around her feet. She sucked in a breath as he unhooked her bra and it drifted to the carpet.

“Take those off, too,” he said, motioning to her silky knickers. His breath was warm on her neck. He stepped back, allowing her just enough space to do as he’d requested.

As she did, she bent deeper than necessary to accomplish the task. His appreciative moan sent a shock of electricity to her core, heightening her desperate need to feel him inside her.

Liam pressed his hardened length to her back and wrapped his arms around her. He squeezed her breasts. Pinched the stiff peaks. She swallowed a yelp as the tinge of pain translated to a flood of pleasure where she needed him most.

He slid one hand between her thighs, and an involuntary moan escaped her mouth. She writhed against him, her knees barely able to hold her up. Liam planted soft, deliberate kisses along her neck and shoulders. The scruff of his beard sensitized her skin and intensified the sensation of the light kisses, tiny nibbles and sensuous licks that followed. He squeezed her nipple again. This time she couldn’t hold back her cry.

He turned her. Pressed his mouth to hers. His tongue crashed against hers as he palmed and squeezed her bottom. Her body trembled with anticipation as his thick length pressed into her.

Being here, doing this, might make her crazy or reckless, but it felt damn good. In this moment, there was nothing she wanted more than to feel him inside her.

Liam lowered her onto the bed and poised himself above her as he pressed her thighs apart. He gripped his shaft, the skin pulled taut, and pressed the head to her opening.

She couldn’t hold back the deep sigh of satisfaction that shuddered through her as the delicious sensation of Liam filling her worked its way through her body.

* * *

Liam’s eyes met hers, wide with anticipation. Her lower lip trembled.

So beautiful.

Even more now than yesterday because he’d gotten to know her. She was the kind of girl he didn’t deserve, but he was bollocks-deep inside of her now. No turning back for either of them.

He relished the soft sounds emanating from her throat. The way her round breasts, with their dark peaks, bounced as she thrust against him. Everything about Maya was intoxicating. He wanted to make this last. To leave her desperate for him. His body trembled. He was losing focus. He had to ensure that she jumped off the cliff first.

Reaching between them, he glided his thumb against her slick nub. Stroked her wetness. She squirmed, her body tensing.

“That’s it, Maya. You’re almost there.” His words were a throaty whisper as he stroked the taut bundle of nerves and thrust deep inside her. “I want to see every ounce of pleasure on that gorgeous face. Just relax. Let go.”

Her body trembled, accompanied by sensual murmurs he couldn’t quite distinguish. Tight and warm, her walls spasmed around his throbbing flesh, magnifying the wave of pleasure rippling throughout his body.

He sped up his thrusts, crashing against her inner walls. Her responsive sighs came louder and faster, driving him closer to the edge. Being buried so deeply inside her felt incredible. He wished to bloody hell there was no barrier between them. He cursed, his body shuddering, as he collapsed beside her; his slick, warm skin pressed to hers.

Liam draped an arm around her waist, cradling her body against his as he kissed her shoulder.

Game over. He won.

Yet, as he stared down into her brown eyes, only one word came to mind.

More.

* * *

Maya had shattered into what felt like a million pieces, her walls clenching around him as she called out his name. She’d scraped her nails down his back and gripped his naked bottom. Felt an exhilarating sense of power as she’d squeezed his length inside her. Watched the pleasure building on his face with each additional thrust. The way he cursed, then called her name, his body rigid. Ecstasy etched into his handsome features.