Protection Read online

  She wanted him, and that was a powerful aphrodisiac.

  “If there’s anything you don’t enjoy, let me know.” His voice emerged gritty while his cock tightened with pure lust. Fighting the urgency thrumming through him, he splayed his fingers across her breasts to lightly knead and pluck her nipples.

  Alice jerked before stilling, her eyes wide. The reaction told him she didn’t believe she was a treasure worthy of exploration. James bit back a groan. He could explore sexuality with this woman for months, for years, and never get tired. A frown surfaced at the oddball notion.

  He wasn’t settling down with anyone. Damn if he’d stay in Sloan so his mother could sneer at him whenever they met. He had no idea why he’d returned to Sloan anyway—some misbegotten idea his family would welcome him back into the fold.

  “Is something wrong?” Her voice held anxiety, the emotion underlined in her golden-brown eyes.

  James summoned a reassuring grin and leaned over to blow on her nipple. Large, to match her breasts, they puckered and colored to a rosy pink. James licked around the circumference of her nipple, testing her reaction. She took a hasty breath and held it for long seconds, her golden eyes wide and uncertain.

  “You’re beautiful,” James murmured, the reassurance she needed to gain confidence easy for him to give. “So responsive.” He blew on her other nipple and watched her reaction. “See?” Unable to deny himself any longer he drew her nipple into his mouth.

  Alice jerked and issued a soft moan.

  James used one hand to tease a nipple while his tongue swirled over the other one. Another low moan sounded, and her hands clamped on his shoulders. Fingernails dug into his skin.

  His mouth quirked and he let go with an audible pop. “Did you like that?”

  Alice seemed to consider her answer before she replied. “Yes.”

  “What did you feel? And where did you feel it?” A test. James waited to see what she’d say. A test of his willpower too. He kissed and nibbled her breast while maintaining eye contact. An easy-to-read expression shimmered across her face and she clamped her bottom lip between her teeth. He couldn’t wait to see her reaction when he kissed her intimately. “Alice?” he prompted.

  She released her lip and moistened the plump curve with her tongue. James savored the innocent gesture, and his gut jumped with awareness. Innocent but oh-so sexy.

  His.

  Awe filled him. Possessiveness, but reality followed swiftly.

  Hell, had he thought that? This—whatever what might be between them—must remain a temporary thing.

  Yeah, temporary.

  He shook himself to emphasize the fact. “Alice?”

  “When you,” she paused, her cheeks going pink, “sucked, the sensation traveled all the way down there.” She gestured with her hand.

  “Show me,” he whispered, intent on pushing her from her comfort zone.

  Alice hesitated while gathering her courage. Her pale hand crept from his shoulder and skimmed across her quivering belly to halt half an inch from the short curls guarding her femininity.

  “Go on.”

  Her fingers moved downward. Her legs parted.

  James smiled. Innocent and sexy. That was test enough for now. He’d take it from here. He slid his hand down her torso, following the same path as her fingers. But he didn’t stop. Instead, he parted her legs farther, his fingers skimming across her swollen folds in an exploration of her moist flesh. Her scent rose, teasing him. James inhaled and couldn’t resist a pass over her clit. The tiny bud peeked from its hood and pulsed beneath his caress. Soon he’d thrust into her sweet flesh. His cock jolted and he thrust against her upper thigh, teasing himself and pushing his need higher.

  Alice’s hand slid across his shoulders, hesitant and a little shy. Her hand slipped downward and she seemed to gain confidence when he didn’t protest. Alice squeezed one buttock and earned a quick kiss.

  “Please,” she whispered. “Please, I need you.”

  “Where? Tell me. Describe what you want,” he ordered, forgetting he’d decided to take control.

  She worried her bottom lip, her brandy-colored eyes apprehensive.

  “If you don’t tell me, I might do something you hate.”

  Alice hesitated for so long he thought he’d pushed her too hard and fast. Finally she released her abused lip and the pale column of her throat moved in a swallow. “I want to explore your body.” Her warm hand squeezed his arse again, the innocent touch reverberating throughout his body and mind.

  Giving. So bloody giving.

  Her first lover had rocks in his head.

  His pulse thumped as he rolled off her. He positioned himself on his back, an offer of free access and silent permission to study him as she wanted.

  Trembling fingers skimmed his stubble-covered jaw, dipped into his dimple and traced his mouth. James parted his lips a fraction and sucked her forefinger inside. Her gasp was loud. Startled. And it made him want to laugh. Instead, he drew on her finger and cupped her head. The silky strands of hair tickled his palm, bringing a desire to touch and stroke and soothe away her jumpy virginal nerves. His tongue smoothed across her fingernail and ran across the delicate skin between fingertip and nail. Alice gasped again, golden glints shining in her eyes. He captured her gaze with his and released her finger. James nipped her earlobe and surprised a yelp out of her.

  “Ouch.” She pulled away to finger her ear. “I thought I was in charge.”

  “That can be arranged.” After brushing another kiss across her lips, he kissed the tip of one breast and glided his hands across her rib cage.

  James smiled when she plucked up the courage to curl her hand around his cock. Her fingers traced the flared head, her curiosity endearing and arousing. She explored his tender balls and wrapped her fingers around his shaft. She pumped, focusing so hard her tongue poked between her lips. The innocent exploration dragged a soft curse from him.

  “Enough. This is torture,” he added before she put a different interpretation on his words. Discouragement was the last thing he intended.

  He took a moment to kiss her again. Good girl. She learned fast, opening her mouth to him in participation rather than her previous passive behavior. Their tongues tangled. James felt the rapid beat of her heart, saw the flush of rosy arousal on her face and chest. He wanted to go slow, to arouse her, teasing until she throbbed in need, until they both ached for the conclusion.

  But it wasn’t going down that way. Not today.

  At least they wanted the same thing.

  James thrust one leg between her thighs, silently indicating she should part her legs. So beautiful. So sexy. He dipped his head to nuzzle her breasts, moving over Alice and guiding his cock to her pussy. Moist warmth met him as he pushed the tip of his cock into her heat.

  “Fuck.” James froze, a heavy jolt of disbelief coloring his voice. He jerked away from her, horror in his stare.

  Through his dismay, James saw her flinch as if he’d struck her. Another abrupt move on his part and she’d run for the hills surrounding Sloan.

  He cleared his throat. “I don’t suppose you have a condom?”

  A surprised burst of laughter bubbled from her, diluting the alarm he’d seen seconds earlier. “A condom?”

  “It’s not funny,” he said stiffly. His body ached for release. Without a condom, he’d have to take care of the matter himself when he wanted the satisfaction that only a snug woman’s pussy would ease. He’d end up with blue balls for hours if he couldn’t have her now. His hand just wouldn’t be the same.

  “You work for a condom company, right?” Her breasts jiggled in a distracting manner. “Manager, isn’t it?”

  “Give it a rest.” A tinge of heat settled at the tips of his ears. “If you’re offering sex, shouldn’t you have condoms?” More than a trace of accusation shaded his words.

  “Oh sure. All I’ve seen is the X-100 in all its inflated glory.” She giggled, her cute button nose twitching at the same time. “I
guess we’ll have to do this later.”

  James scowled. “You realize my balls will ache for hours.” He dragged a hand through his dark hair while irritation simmered inside him. Yeah, there was a funny side to this but he didn’t appreciate it at present.

  Alice stirred beneath his tense body, brushing against the sensitized tip of his cock. The scent of aroused female filled his senses. Her silky-soft skin tempted. James groaned, knowing he’d act the gentleman.

  No need for both of them to leave the room frustrated.

  He trailed his fingers across her rib cage and leaned over to lick the fragrant skin below her belly button.

  “You make me feel hot,” she whispered when he glanced up to see her reaction. “Inside.” She pointed vaguely to the juncture of her thighs. “I’ve never felt this way before.”

  “When you said almost, what do you mean?”

  She squeezed her eyes closed. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  James hated that a man had hurt her and pricked her confidence. Anger bled away some of his frustration. The mystery man had pricked something else as well, but he’d done a piss-poor job of it. He’d do his best to boost her self-assurance. And, he promised himself, he’d prize the story out of her somehow.

  He rimmed her bellybutton with his tongue before prodding the tiny indentation. Suggestively. Yeah, he had to thrust into something or he’d self-combust.

  “That tickles,” she protested.

  “I live to annoy.” According to his mother and sister.

  James levered his body upward and parted her legs so he could slide between. After initial resistance, she followed his non-verbal instructions, but her brandy-flecked eyes held uncertainty.

  “Know this, sweetheart.” His voice contained anger toward the man who had wounded her confidence. “I won’t hurt you. I like women.”

  “You have experience. That’s why I asked you to…to…”

  Irritation swept him at her words. Why did people harp about his reputation? He wasn’t a bloody playboy. James bit back the sarcastic retort burning the tip of his tongue. Nothing wrong with not wanting to settle down. It might be a habit for his family members to marry in their early twenties, but he wanted none of the tradition. He hadn’t loved Carol—too bad if their parents had wanted to cement their close friendship.

  James pushed aside memories of the spirited arguments to concentrate on Alice. She deserved the attention. Even though she’d judged him the same as everyone else.

  He pressed a kiss on her upper thigh.

  Alice jumped. “What are you going to do?”

  “Pleasuring you, my dear.” He winked before returning to the task at hand.

  Pleasure. Alice bit her lip to stop the escape of a loud groan. From the second her clothes had hit the ground she’d enjoyed every touch. Oh, there was a little embarrassment, but that was to be expected. It wasn’t every day a girl found herself up close and personal with a genuine bad boy.

  James planted a kiss on the inside of her thigh. Her heart thudded. He parted her legs even farther until air washed over her private parts. She swallowed, and her tongue flicked out to moisten dry lips.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said in a husky voice. He glanced up at her and smiled, but she knew he wasn’t referring to her face. Pleased but shy at the knowledge he’d studied her so intimately, heat crawled across her face and down her chest.

  “I’ll take your word for it.”

  “Haven’t you ever looked at yourself?” He sounded surprised.

  “No.” How the heck was she meant to do that?

  “You should. We’ll do that another day.”

  Oh my. A second session with the bad boy. Go ahead, bad boy. Make my day. Alice giggled.

  “Something funny? Am I not doing this right?” He used his fingers to part her folds and leaned closer to blow a stream of warm air across her exposed flesh.

  Alice shuddered. “No complaints. Please continue.” She did not understand where this mouthy wanton inhabiting her body had come from, but she liked her.

  The stream of warm air centered on an achy part. Her clitoris? Interesting.

  His fingers trailed the length of her cleft, following the same path the burst of warm air had taken. He caressed, his fingers dragging on her flesh. A sharp jolt of energy speared through her. She gasped, desperate for a repeat of the delightful sensation.

  James grinned up at her. “You like that?”

  “Yes.” No point lying. A blind man could tell she was out of her league and going on instinct.

  “There’s more.”

  Oh goody. Bring it on. Alice closed her eyes to concentrate. His fingers moved downward and liquid arousal broke the silence. Her eyes flew open in consternation.

  “You’re soaked.” He smiled. “You want me.”

  His words held masculine pride and satisfaction, so she waited for his next move.

  His finger dipped into the mouth of her pussy. When he removed his finger, she wanted to protest. Just when things were getting interesting.

  Without warning, he slipped both hands beneath her butt and lifted her hips. Her legs gravitated to his shoulders. Startled, she wondered what her bad boy would do next. Her heart thudded against her breastbone and raced faster as he lowered his mouth. He licked the length of her cleft, following the same path as his finger. Alice shivered, shocked rigid but honest enough to admit his touch thrilled her.

  Oh, she knew about oral sex.

  In theory.

  Theory was light years away from practical.

  The return journey of his tongue and lips shot spasms of enjoyment charging through her body. She tensed, ready for more. There had to be more, right? Then his tongue teased an achy spot. He lingered. Teased a little more.

  Her clitoris. Yep, she was positive when pleasure surged, a soft wave pulsed deep inside her. But instead of ending, James continued to tease her swollen flesh. With considerable skill too. Oh yes. Please. Right there. Don’t move. Continue. Please.

  To her relief, he followed her silent directions. The sensation deepened. A few more pulses then the pleasure swelled and she soared. One more swipe of his tongue and she split apart, the wonderful sensation fracturing into a series of rapid waves.

  “Ooh,” she murmured as she floated back into her body—because this had been a magnificent out-of-body experience—and relaxed like a cooked spaghetti noodle.

  “Was it good for you?” James asked.

  Alice belatedly remembered that she had and he hadn’t come. A tactful answer required. Guys, she’d heard from various gossipy sources, became a little tetchy when it came to sex and not getting any. She stared at his erect penis. It looked large and red and bad-tempered. It gave an angry twitch as she gawked.

  “Um…” Alice glanced up to scan James’ face. “I…yes…” She stared. The man’s face screwed up as if he suffered great pain or else he—

  The wretch was laughing at her. She tapped him on one bulging biceps. “Yes, it was good for me,” she snapped. “Why are you laughing?”

  A tentative knock sounded on the door and his amusement faded. They glanced at each other in silent communication, Alice wrinkling her nose in answer to his raised brow.

  “Alice? Are you awake? Breakfast is ready.”

  She stared at the wooden door in horror. Had she made a lot of noise? Her gaze darted to James and he pantomimed for her to answer.

  “I’m up. Won’t be long,” Alice called out. She strove for a woman-of-the-world tone, but her reply fell into the feeble, scared zone. It must have reassured Lindy because she heard receding footsteps before silence fell. She turned to stare at James.

  He shook his head, a rueful grin on his lips. “Well, Ms. Beasley. You’re not the only one who’s up. A fine mess you’ve got us in this time.”

  “Why is it my fault? I’ve heard you’re a playboy and a cad.” The minute she said the words she wanted to take them back.

  “Ah, you’ve read Ms. Knowall’s column. Yo
u’re right. I am a playboy and a cad.” He stood and picked up his clothes, dressing with an elegance she admired. “You should remember that and stay away from me.”

  “I’m sorry.” She’d said the wrong thing.

  “No problem. I’ll see you at work.” He strode over to the door, opened it and stepped into the passage. A soft click sounded when he closed it.

  Alice heard footsteps and the murmur of voices. Color swept to her cheeks as she imagined what Lindy would think. If inheriting a condom company hadn’t already ruined her reputation, then she’d done the job now by letting James Bates, sexy bad boy, spend the night in her bedroom.

  Chapter Five

  Alice climbed from the bed, self-conscious of her nakedness. Avoiding her reflection in the mirror, she scuttled to the small en suite and jumped under the shower, letting the water pour over her hair and face. Five minutes later, dressed in a gray trouser suit, she made her way into the kitchen for breakfast.

  The wooden table was set for three with floral placemats and coordinated napkins. A posy of spring flowers in the center of the table added to the Victorian theme. The rich scent of coffee floated in the air. Lindy Redcliff stood at the stove, spatula in hand, humming along to a top-forty hit. Jake, her husband, sat at the table and had already started on his breakfast.

  “Morning,” she mumbled. “Sorry I’m late.”

  Jake glanced up from his scrambled eggs. “We know why you overslept. You’ve been doing the wild thing with Sloan’s playboy.”

  “Jake!” Lindy put a world of remonstration into her husband’s name, but it didn’t dampen his smirk.

  “No,” Alice said. “We were discussing work.” The first thing that came into her mind.

  Jake’s lips twitched. “Condoms. Care for some eggs and toast. Muesli?”

  Alice met his gaze with difficulty. “I’m not hungry.” The truth. She’d lost her appetite. “And yes, we discussed condoms as part of our business meeting. Fancy Free sells condoms.”

  Jake set his knife and fork across the center of his plate. He lifted his wrist to check his watch. “Hmm, I hope your company pays overtime for such a long meeting.”

  “Leave the poor girl alone or we’ll lose our guest.” Lindy propelled Alice to an empty chair. “Coffee? A package arrived for you.”