Читать книгу One Wilde Night - Rhonda Leah - Страница 5

Chapter 1

Tara Wilde stood aside in the lavishly decorated living room and watched her sister blow out the candles on her birthday cake. Thirty-one candles, and Sarah had everything she’d ever wanted: a handsome doting husband, two point five kids...she even had the customary dog. And now—the house, three stories perched off-campus on the lake. The hardy planked, Acadian style masterpiece featured massive wrap around porches. Custom wood windows let in just the right amount of sunlight, gleaming hardwood floors were polished to perfection. It all held a comfortable homey feel only her sister could accomplish in such a short amount of time.

Her life was perfect. For Sarah.

Once the cake was cut and Sarah surrounded by enough people not to notice, she escaped for some air. The back patio seemed like a perfect retreat.

Darting across the great room, Joey, her brother-in-law, clasped her arm, halting her exit. She groaned silently. The up-and-coming assistant football coach stood at Joey’s side.

“Hi Tara,” Marshall said before Joey got a word out.

Tara smiled politely but caught the gaze of another man standing with them. He had the most intense green eyes she’d ever seen. A quiver raced up her spine as those luscious eyes roamed her body. He was tall, looming over Marshall’s six-foot frame. Marshall had a stocky build, but this man looked leaner under his suit coat. He had the build of a swimmer, and a sexy cleft in his masculine chin which she found utterly attractive. His hair was mussed, like he’d run his hands through it. Her fingers itched at the thought of doing the same.

“Do you think Sarah’s enjoying the party?” Joey asked, turning Tara’s attention back to him. For a smart guy, Joey could be such a stupid man. Sarah was thrilled with the party, basically the same one he threw her every year.

“Of course. It’s just Sarah’s style.”

“You don’t think it’s too much for her, in her condition?”

Tara rolled her eyes heavenward before she could stop herself. “No, Joey, she’s fine.”

Mr. Green Eyes cleared his throat.

“Oh. Uh, Tara, this is Tucker. We go way back. Childhood friends. Tuck’s a professor at Boston University and is in town doing some guest lecturing this weekend.”

Someone from the wait staff called Joey, and since he wouldn’t have anything go wrong with Sarah’s party, he took off.

Tara nodded her head at the professor. “It’s nice to meet you.”

A polite smile curved his lips, and when he squeezed her hand, a jolt raced up her arm. She shook her head at the tingling sensations and turned to the coach. “See you later, Marshall.”

A crust-less cucumber sandwich in hand, she pushed open the French doors leading to the veranda. Detouring to the right, she pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator, then stepped down a few stairs and sat. Inhaling the night air, she settled in to watch the moonlight dance on the lake.

What a night. At least she’d managed to avoid the groping coach this time. What the hell was wrong with her anyway? She was happy for her sister—she really was. Bending her head from side to side, she stretched her neck.

Realization hit her in the pit of the stomach. Her life was unfulfilling. She owned a nice house, her dream car and a productive business. What more did she need?

She was bored. Hell, if she were honest with herself—she was lonely. And tonight, that bothered her more than she wanted to contemplate. Jake had left eleven months ago, apparently taking part of her with him. She hadn’t mooned over him because she hadn’t been in love with him. He’d been a good friend for a long time, a lover only briefly.

Sipping the water, she let the cool liquid slide down her throat. The air was humid, hot for May. She pulled at the fabric of her dress where it clung to her skin, pressing the water bottle to the side of her neck.

She was hot and bothered…and wanted a man.

At least for a night.

A romp in the sack would brighten her birthday. Thoughts of Marshall skidded across her mind. No, she couldn’t go there. He was nice enough, but his groping hands turned her off. Besides, Sarah and Joey had been trying to push them together for months. He’d get the wrong idea.

Lost in her thoughts, she jumped when Tucker settled on the step above her.

“Hi.”

She openly looked him over, noting his dusty blond hair curled above his ears. He needed a haircut.

“I hope you don’t mind if I join you.”

“No. Not at all. I needed some fresh air. I guess you’re used to this sort of thing?” she half-asked, half-assumed. She hated these ‘who can spend the most money’ parties.

Something sounding like a snort escaped him. “Joey’s a good friend. I couldn’t refuse him.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t get me wrong. Back in Boston I get invited to these social-slash-work parties. I go, but mostly because after years there I still don’t know many people.”

Anti-social, absent-minded professor. He wasn’t moving up her list very quickly.

“Joey seems happy here, and his wife is wonderful. She’s welcomed me while I’m in town.”

“Sarah’s super. And would do anything to make Joey happy. So you’re staying here with them?”

“No. I just meant she’s a great hostess.”

“Yeah, she is.” Tara kicked off her shoes and turned to get a better look at him. “Are you staying nearby?”

What the hell was she doing?

Tilting her head, she got a better look at his eyes, an emerald color so intense it somehow drew her in. Her body quivered.

“I’m at the new hotel on campus.”

“Ah. When are you leaving town?”

“Tomorrow evening. I’ve got a lecture at eleven AM. Then I’m duty bound to a late lunch with the director of the history department. I’m leaving for the airport from there.”

Humm. He wouldn’t be around long. Devilish thoughts filled her head. Maybe he’d be good for a night of fun. Something had to give—she needed a distraction.

The sexy, absent-minded man shot to the top of her list.

* * * *

Tucker watched Tara’s expressions as she calculated the information he’d given her. She was utterly intriguing, and he wanted to know what thoughts were playing across her mind.

The woman had drawn him in since he’d first laid eyes on her earlier in the evening.

The icy blue material clung to the swell of her breast in the humid air. Her slender shape was perfectly outlined by the thin fabric. His gaze was drawn to the tips of her toes painted the same color as her dress. She nudged one of her shoes with her toe, her shapely leg peeking out from under the hem. Her intelligent brown eyes sparkled with life and her pert nose rounded out her beautiful face.

He wasn’t used to being caught up in some woman—more likely to bury himself in a good book. But this particular woman turned him on fiercely. The way she spoke, in soft southern tones like warm honey...he’d been a teenager the last time a woman’s voice had given him such a raging hard-on. His throbbing cock had dragged him outdoors behind her, then he’d given her a few minutes to settle before moving into her personal space.

Never in his thirty-two years had he had a one-night stand. But if this night played out the way his body wanted, that’s exactly what he’d be having. Monday morning he would be back in Boston with finals to prepare and a decision to make. Tonight, he wanted to live a little.

As if his hand had a mind of its own, his knuckles gently brushed across her sculpted cheekbone. Her chestnut hair was within reach, and overly tempting. He touched the silken strands, tucking it behind her ear, giving him a better view of her brilliant eyes. “Do you think it’s late enough to slip out of here? I mean the cake was cut. Duty over?”

The smile she gave was like nothing he’d seen before, and his body shook in response. “Seems like a good time to me,” she said, turning her cheek toward his hovering hand.

“Will anyone miss you if you don’t say good-bye?”

“Not likely,” she said.

“Me either. I assured Joey I’d find a ride back to the hotel.”

Grabbing his hand, she stood. The electric shock of her touch was amazing. He watched as she smoothed the silky material of her pale blue dress with her other hand and slipped her sandals back on her feet.

“My car’s up the hill,” she said. “Makes for a quick escape once the crowd settles in.” Pulling his hand, she urged him to stand.

He shook his head at the crazy feelings swarming him. “Good plan. Does that mean you’ll take me to the hotel?”

“Sure. Sounds great.”

Instead of going back inside, she walked down the stone steps to a pier over the lake. The night air cracked and heat surged Tucker’s senses. It’d been years since he’d spent time outside in the Louisiana heat.

“This way we don’t get tied up inside,” Tara said, a smile curving the corner of her mouth.

In silence, he followed her across the pier to a beaten path. At the top of the hill she pulled back a limb and Tucker saw the street. She led him to a red ’66 Mustang convertible, and he couldn’t imagine her driving anything else. The car fit her as well as the slip of a dress.

He groaned, and she stopped, stood staring at him. “Great car,” he said, giving a small shrug. Maybe she’d believe him. It was a great car. “I have a black ’65 back in Boston.”

“I wouldn’t have figured you for a car guy.”

He held his hands out. “I’m not, I just have a soft spot for a good Mustang.”

She shook her head, laughing, and walked to the driver’s side. His long legs were good for something—upping his step, he beat her to the car door, blocking entry.

She gave him a sultry, questioning look from under dark lashes. Tucker bent his head and claimed her mouth. Her soft lips tasted like heaven. Needing more, he pressed. She complied, opening her lush lips at his slight urging, rocked against him, but he stilled her with a hand to her waist. Her arms came around his neck, and her fingers dug into his hair. His hips bucked in response, holding her against the car.

She had to feel his cock pulsing. It seemed to encourage, not frighten her, which was a good thing. Because he was damn close to climaxing, kissing this woman, he reached for the door handle. He felt like a randy teenager. “Where would you like to go? You must know the area.”

A dazed look widened her beautiful eyes. “Are you in a rush to get back to the hotel?”

The only place he was in ‘a rush to get’ was inside her. He shook his head. “I’ve got all night. I’m yours.”

“Umm... Get in.”

When the car pulled away from the curb, the wind hit his face. He took a deep breath.

“I’ve got an idea. Just hold tight,” she said, shooting him a shaky grin.

Before he’d cleared his head, she was pulling down an unlit gravel road. When the car stopped, they were overlooking the lake again, but from a place where they couldn’t be seen except maybe by a boat. The moon lit the area with a hazy glow. Threads of light sparkled, cutting through the clouds and dancing across the surface of the lake.

Tara was in his lap before he’d realized she’d even unbuckled. Her hand snaked down his side, and then his seat reclined, pulling a gasp from him. She straddled his hips, and all he could think about was being buried inside the wild woman.

“This’ll do,” she said, “for now.”

Tucker had never been a man who had to be in charge in the bedroom, and with this enticing woman it appeared to be a good thing.

Her lips found his and she loosened his tie, sucked, stroked his tongue with hers. His hips mimicked the motion of their mouths. The silky dress was bunched around her firm thighs, and he could see the tops of her sexy thigh-high stockings. His fingers were drawn there. Her muscles quivered under his touch.

He slid his hands up her heated skin and came in contact with damp curls, and caught his breath. His body quaked, and lowering her bottom, she encouraged his touch. He slid one finger along her opening, relishing in the moisture he felt there, then applied slight pressure to her clit. She rubbed against his hand, and tension built all the while she was making love to his mouth like no woman had ever done. One finger in the heat of her pussy, and her inner muscles throbbed for release. He eased in another finger, and she sighed.

She was wild. On fire. And for the first time in ages, so was he.

She slipped her small hand between them, and he waited for her touch on his aching cock, but her hand covered his, her hips rocked against his hand and showed him want she wanted. Another finger buried deep inside her. Tremors started. Her muscles quickened, clenched his hand so tight he ached to sink into in her. Slowly, steadily he stroked her clit with his thumb, thrusting his fingers in and out as she ground her wanton body over his.

A long moan signaled her release, sounding like something he’d only imagined in his dreams. A woman who knew what she wanted and took it.

Tara settled on his lap, the reality of a temporarily sated woman shining on her face. She leaned in and kissed him, stroked the side of his face with her fingertips. He heard her say something softly, but couldn’t make it out.

* * * *

Tara felt more relaxed than she had in months. Biting on her bottom lip, she hummed. “It’s your turn.”

Needing a taste of him badly, she licked her lips. Before Tucker could move, she maneuvered around and slid between his hard thighs, dared another look into those intense eyes.

He had one rock hard body under his designer suit. She loved a man who took care of himself, and he hadn’t gotten those muscles from standing in front of a classroom. There was only one muscle she wanted to think about right now. With his belt undone and the zipper perched below the head of his cock, she slowly lowered her mouth to entice him.

His moan of pleasure washed over her.

He’d handled her problem for now. And if this moment was all they ended up with, she’d make sure he wouldn’t forget it anytime soon. When she opened his waistband, lowered his pants, the size of his cock weakened her, made her glad her mouth was occupied. With her hand she gauged his length. Oh my. To feel that full, have his cock inside her... She moved and took all she could, loving the way his cock pulsed inside her mouth.

His moan of pleasure rang clear in the open field. He threaded his fingers through her hair, not holding her still but stroking her scalp, stoking her desire to please him.

Head back over the headrest, he trembled when she sucked his long hot cock harder. She wrapped her hand around the base, fondled his tight balls.

His body jerked, and he tried to pull her head up. She refused, met his gaze, milked him with her mouth. The hot spray of cum fell down her throat, and she turned her attention back to the tip of his length.

When his legs loosened, she looked up. His parted lips drew her up his hard body, enjoying the feel of his half-hard cock when it touched her thigh. She licked her lips, loving the faint taste of him, then lowered her mouth to his for another drugging kiss.

He shifted underneath her, righted his clothes, and she settled against his chest. His fingers drawing designs on her back, the steady beat of his heart and the outside night noises nearly lulled her to sleep.

“I’d love to stay here all night, but I’ve got a warm bed maybe ten minutes away.”

Lifting her head from his chest, she met his stare. “Do you have any coffee to go along with the warm bed?”

“Room service does.”

“Then it sounds like an offer I can’t resist.”

* * * *

Tara parked under the only tree in the hotel parking lot. Tucker opened the side door with his key card. She walked through into the lobby and checked out the arrangements she’d created for this part of the hotel. Large green leaves rimmed the vases, varying colors of hydrangea rounds filled in, tall ivory lilies and pale pink snapdragons pulled the eye up. Wheat and ivy made the arrangements airy and light, a few deep irises and a couple of variegated tulips rounded things out.

They looked as beautiful as they had six months ago when the hotel opened.

The night attendant waved his hand and called out, “Professor!”

Tucker excused himself, and she took the opportunity to look around the formal reception area. Gleaming marble floors covered the expanse between where she stood and the reception desk. A pair of low slung sofas flanked tile-covered pillars, heavy wooden tables sat between the sofas. An antique chandelier hung from the intricately patterned ceiling. Light reflected in a massive mirror hanging above a buffet table filled with maps and pamphlets of places to go, things to see in the area.

He was back at her side in a flash. “Confirmation for my meeting tomorrow.”

“Ah,” she said, thinking he looked good enough to eat, smiling at her wickedness.

“I ordered some coffee while I was there. It should be up in a few minutes.”

They entered the elevator, and he pressed three for the top floor. He had a suite. The doors opened, and he stood to the side to let Tara out. The hall was a square with four doors, and a small table sat beside each one. Holding the door to his room for her, he ushered her inside.

When she’d seen the suites before, they’d only been framed in and the wiring done. Now finished, a large sitting area was separated from the bedroom. A floral settee and end table were to the right, a coat closet across from it. Floor to ceiling windows were covered by heavy, striped curtains. She could see a king-sized mahogany bed through the bedroom’s open door adorned with gold and tan covers that reached the lush carpet. This suite had turned out remarkable.

She hoped the rest of her night would be.