Maverick Read online

  “No, I just…it could get complicated.”

  “How’s that?”

  She was right there—so close to him that all he had to do was bend down a few inches and take the mouth that she was offering.

  “I guess I don’t want you to think that there might be something more to this than…” Jesus. H. Christ. But it was hot in here.

  “Then just sex?”

  Her voice was low and throaty, conjuring images of naked flesh, smoke and mirrors. Maverick Simon couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this worked up over a woman.

  “You don’t know anything about me,” he managed to say. Sweat had broken out over his body, covering his bare torso in a damp sheen. He was hot and cold which only heightened his senses.

  “Have you ever been in jail?

  “No.”

  “Are you a serial killer?”

  “No.”

  “Then we’re good.” She took a step back and he exhaled slowly, watching her warily. Her chest rose and fell, her mouth was slightly open and he could see her pink tongue. He was weakening.

  That tongue darted out, swiping over her bottom lip as her gaze travelled down his body once more, stopping at the now massive erection he sported.

  “You see, Rick.”

  God the way she said his name.

  “You don’t have to worry about me falling in love, because that’s not something that I do.” In one movement she had her top off and tossed onto the floor. “I don’t care about you leaving town because honestly, no one ever stays anyway.”

  He tore his eyes from the lacy bra that barely covered her breasts and searched her face. He should end this right now. Donovan was right. And yet…

  “I came out here because I was pissed off and I had no intention of having sex with you, but I gotta say, Rick.” Again, the way she rolled her R’s made him crazy. “You look damn good without a shirt and it’s been way too long since I’ve had anything close to good, hot sex.”

  She bent over—total stripper move—and Maverick clenched his jaw together so tight that his teeth ached. She unzipped her boots and stepped out of them, her fingers trailing up her legs as she straightened and then slid them beneath the waistband of her pants. She was killing him. Plain and simple.

  “What do you say, Rick?” she asked, that pink tongue peeking out from between her lips. “You up to the job?”

  Maverick should have walked away because nothing about this situation was light or easy or casual. He stepped forward and stared down into those amazing eyes, noting the sweat that beaded her top lip, and the heated scent of her in the air. She was as hot and as aroused as he was.

  This was going to get complicated. He could tell.

  Don’t do it.

  But the thing about that inner voice—especially the one that warned you against something you really wanted…it was too damn easy to ignore.

  With a groan, Maverick lowered his mouth, hands diving into all that thick, silky hair. He slid his mouth over Charlie’s and promptly forgot about everything except the woman in his arms.

  Chapter Eight

  Charlie jumped the rails about five seconds after walking into this building. All that shit she’d just spewed meant nothing. She couldn’t even process what Rick had said or what she’d said in return. All she knew for sure was that she’d come out here to fight, but somewhere between the banter, the anger—and all that totally male and totally ripped body—something had happened to her.

  Her lady parts had roared to life.

  And those lady parts had pretty much taken over all conscious thought.

  Rick tasted amazing and he felt even better. He was warm and hot and so hard, that Charlie squeezed her thighs together in an effort to assuage the throb, a whimper falling from her because it only made her hyper-aware and even more aroused.

  His mouth slid across hers, his hands sank into her hair and she melted into Rick like butter on a hot summer day. He held her gently and kissed her like she’d never been kissed before. His lips were firm and hungry and so damn skilled that she sank against him.

  His tongue slid over her mouth, licking her playfully. Methodically. Thoroughly. All the while his fingers massaged her scalp and his hips burned into hers.

  His erection pressed into her waist and Charlie whimpered, trying to get closer to him. Her breasts, barely covered by the silky bra Ava had made her buy (thank you Ava) swelled against his chest, their tips aching to be touched.

  She opened her mouth and let him inside once more, and slid her arms up to his shoulders—not just to feel the strength that was there—but because she was afraid she’d fall on her ass if she didn’t.

  The kiss went on and on. And on. Hot mouths. Surging tongues. Skin on skin. Good Lord but this man could kiss.

  When Rick finally came up for air, he was breathing heavily, his eyes dark and half lidded.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked roughly. His hand slid along her jaw and he nipped at the corner of her mouth. The stubble on his chin was rough, but as he scraped his face against hers, she shivered at the sensation. “Because I gotta tell ya, Charlie. I’m close to that fucking line.”

  She licked his mouth and slid her lips across his, wanting more. “What line is that?” she asked in a voice she barely recognized.

  “The line of no return.”

  She tilted her head back, still clinging to him, and pressed her breasts against his hot skin. She wanted him to know that she meant business, because there was no way in hell she was turning back now.

  “Why is my bra still on?” she asked.

  With a groan, his hands moved down her back, his practiced fingers divesting her of the skimpy garment in less time than it took to put the damn thing on. His hot breath rolled over her pebbled nipples as he arched her back.

  “You’re so goddamn hot,” he murmured, his eyes as dark as liquid chocolate. She watched his large hand cup one of her breasts and she held her breath when he ran his thumb over the pebbled nipple.

  “Jesus,” she whispered, as electric shots of pleasure shot through her. The throbbing between her legs intensified and she knew that she was wet. She whimpered, unable to keep it in.

  “You like that?”

  Rick didn’t give her a chance to answer. He bent toward the other breast and enclosed her nipple in his hot, wet, mouth. Charlie’s hands crept into the thick hair on his head and she held him there, rocking into him as he continued to lick and suck at her breasts.

  How long did the two of them stand there, half naked and horny as hell? Charlie had no clue, but suddenly, his mouth left her breasts and he grabbed her ass, pulling her up, hoisting her so that she could wrap her legs around his waist. He buried his face against her once more, his hot mouth spreading shivers of desire along her skin.

  Licking, caressing, and suckling at her nipples until she thought she was going to go crazy.

  “Oh God,” she said hoarsely. His eyes were wicked as he looked up at her, his tongue darting out one last time, circling her nipple until it was wet. He blew on her, his smile widening at the groan that fell from her mouth.

  Charlie took a moment to appreciate just how hot this man was. Her fingers fell from his hair and trailed along his shoulders and his biceps until she splayed her hands against his chest. He was beautiful, and there was still so much more for her to see.

  “You work out,” she breathed against him.

  “That’s about all I’ve done since I’ve been here.” His voice was low and raspy. She liked it.

  She stared into his eyes for several long moments, loving how his hands felt against her butt, how he slowly moved against her. Tongue between her lips, she smoothed her fingers over his firm chest and then up to cup her breasts.

  Slowly she circled her nipples, smiling when he swore.

  “You’re killing me,” Rick growled, moving suddenly and striding over to a table in the corner of the room. He set her there, his hands on her pants, his body between her legs.
“Get your ass up now,” he ordered and she leaned on her palms so that her hips were in the air. Rick peeled her pants down and tossed them, his dark eyes on the black lacy thong.

  He moved closer and she leaned back, hot and anxious.

  Oh my God, am I going to let him….

  His hands were on her thighs, coaxing her legs wider.

  Damn, but she was going to let him.

  He moved her panties to the side, sucking in air through his teeth as he slowly exposed her. For one second Charlie panicked. Her leg muscles tightened and she would have closed them if she could.

  “Easy, darlin’,” Rick murmured. “Easy.” He looked into her eyes, a wicked, sexy grin on his face as two long fingers slid inside her body.

  Charlie whimpered and his smile deepened. “You feel so good. So hot and wet.” He leaned forward and reached for a kiss, his mouth sliding over hers as his fingers slowly rubbed her clitoris.

  She couldn’t help it. Her hips began to move in tandem with his fingers. It felt so good. So, so, good. Charlie’s head fell back and she didn’t think about the fact that she was sitting on top of a table, completely naked with a man she barely knew.

  She didn’t think about the fact that her legs were spread wide and that his fingers were inside her. Or that she was so wet and swollen. She didn’t think about—

  “Jesus, Rick,” she cried when his mouth closed over her. He was on his knees, his head buried between her legs. He lifted her closer to the edge of the table, the stubble on his chin sending delicious sensations rolling over her inner thighs. His tongue was relentless, his fingers just as sure, and she felt the pleasure coil deep inside her as he licked and sucked and teased her until her hips were gyrating off the table.

  “I want you to come for me,” he murmured against her, trailing kisses along her bare skin. “I want to taste you when you come.”

  He thrust into her with his tongue and she was already breaking apart. Charlie came hard, bucking into him as he held her still.

  And he held her for several moments, while her body throbbed with the aftershocks of her orgasm. Breathing heavily, she pushed a long chunk of hair out of her face and looked down into his eyes.

  Had she ever seen a man with such long dark lashes? Or a mouth that sexy? Was this just orgasm afterglow, or did Rick really look this incredible?

  His neck strained and she didn’t have to look down to know his erection was full-on ready to go.

  She licked her lips. Screw it. She was going all in.

  “I’ve got condoms in my purse.” She pointed to the sofa.

  Cool air rushed over her heated skin when he left and strode over to the sofa. He made quick work of her purse and dropped his track pants in even less time. His backside was amazing—muscular and hard. The man had an ass that would make any hockey player proud. He rolled on the condom and when he turned back to her, Charlie’s mouth went dry.

  She’d been with exactly two men in her twenty-five years. Neither one of them came close to the beauty of the man before her. There was something wild in him. Something unrestrained and she felt her body react instantly.

  Rick stalked her as if she was his prey. He didn’t say a word, though his eyes nailed her with an intensity that had her still-buzzing lady parts again jumping for joy.

  She was already leaning back, spreading her legs when he stepped between them and, with one powerful thrust, was buried deep inside.

  “Christ, you feel so fucking good,” he whispered hoarsely against her neck. He immediately began to move and their bodies quickly found a rhythm that was all their own. “So damn good,” he repeated.

  He had no idea how good he felt inside her. He was big and he stretched her in a way that made her feel complete. Charlie deepened the kiss, totally abandoning herself to the pleasure that rolled through her body.

  “I’m sorry, darlin’ but I’m not gonna last long,” Rick said roughly, breaking their kiss.

  “It’s okay,” she managed to say as their tempo increased. “I’m almost there.”

  Her walls tightened and he swore, his hair damp with sweat. He reached down with one hand, eyes still on her as his fingers sought out her clitoris.

  “I can’t…” Charlie threw her head back, knees pulling him in as close as she could. That hot and hard coil of pleasure was strung so tight. He was so big. It was all too much.

  Rick was breathing heavily, animalistic sounds falling from him. “Look at me,” he ordered. “I want to watch you come.”

  Charlie grabbed hold of his shoulders, eyes on him as her body began to convulse. “I want to watch you come,” she said hoarsely, loving how the muscles in his shoulders bunched and how dark his eyes had gotten.

  He came as hard as she did and there were no more words. Only bodies straining against each other. Mouths sliding across skin and hands dug into hair.

  When he finally pulled out of her, Charlie felt empty. Cold air rushed over her, but after he disposed of the used condom, Rick pulled her into his arms and headed for the sofa. After setting his guitar aside and tossing the papers on the floor, they collapsed onto an old throw blanket.

  He rolled her up against his body and Charlie relaxed.

  She had no regrets. Not one. At least not at that moment, anyway.

  In fact, she was hoping that he’d be up for round two sooner than later.

  Chapter Nine

  Maverick watched Charlie while she slept. He’d been awake for nearly an hour, his head full of thoughts. It was early and the sun was just peeking over the horizon, throwing beams of light at the frosty windows that lit the dark room with a strange glow. It had to be cold as hell out there, but he didn’t care. They were snug in his bed and the sound of her soft breathing was strangely mesmerizing.

  She was nestled up against him and for the moment, he was content to hold her, to listen to her breathe, and to stroke her back lazily, while he closed his eyes and thought of the incredible night he’d just had.

  Their sexual chemistry was mind blowing, and really, that didn’t come close to describing it. She responded to his touch in a way that got his blood boiling. There was no coyness, no agenda. There was only raw, primal need and it was something he could see and feel.

  Whatever this connection was they shared, it was on a level he’d never experienced before.

  He’d had Charlie twice in the outbuilding and at some point in the early morning, he’d brought her back to the house and they’d christened the foyer as well as his bed. She was generous—he smiled—athletic. She was adventurous, she gave just as good as she got.

  He was satiated, lethargic, and pretty happy with the place that he found himself in and if the feeling only lasted for the next little while, then so be it.

  He’d take it. Hell, he’d take this for as long as he could and if that made him a selfish bastard, then he was a selfish bastard.

  He cupped her shoulder and he reached down to kiss her softly, his mouth moving into the hollow of her neck. His memory was fresh—he knew that she liked it when he did that.

  She moved, murmuring something he didn’t understand, as he continued to trail soft kisses along her neck. When he nuzzled the spot just under her ear, she shuddered and pushed at him.

  “Oh my god, you’re like a machine.”

  “Thanks,” he said with a smile.

  “But the thing is…” She said softly.

  He nipped at her earlobe.

  “I don’t think I can do it again.”

  “I have faith in you,” he responded.

  “Good to know.” Charlie grabbed at his wandering hands, squirming, and damn, there went his cock—full-on erection springing up against her soft belly. She glanced down at him. “You’re a horn dog, you know that, right?”

  He couldn’t help but smile. “If you say so.”

  “I say so.” Her eyes were on his dick and she moved so that the covers fell away, leaving her bare to him. Her breasts swung gently, her hair was a mess around her shoulders. With her
gorgeous eyes and their smoky liner smudged from the night before and her mouth swollen from his, Charlie Samuels looked hot as sin.

  She pushed him onto his back and before he could say a word, her hot, wet, mouth closed over his cock. With a groan, he settled back against the pillows and let her have at it. She took him deep, her tongue and mouth giving such pleasure that in no time he felt his orgasm building.

  “Jesus,” he whispered, hands in her hair as he gently tugged her away, his body tensing—his release explosive. He was still adrift in the foggy aftermath of one hell of a morning blowjob when Charlie swore and slid off the bed.

  “Oh my God, what the hell time is it?” she asked, hair flying everywhere as she turned in a full circle. “Don’t you have a freaking clock in this room?”

  Maverick glanced down at the mess on the sheets, the foggy afterglow leaving him like water down the drain.

  She grabbed his wrist, yanking his arm a bit as she angled a look at his watch.

  “Hey,” he growled, not liking the abrupt change. Where the hell was his sex goddess? This woman was all business and—he glanced up into her stormy eyes—she was pissed off.

  “Davis is going to have my ass if I don’t get home,” she said, whirling around. “God, he’s never going to let me live this down.”

  Maverick slid into a sitting position, enjoying the lovely view of her backside, though he hid a grin when she turned on him.

  “Where the hell are my clothes?” she snapped.

  “In the shop.”

  “In the…” The evening replayed in her mind and he knew she was remembering how he’d wrapped her in the throw blanket and brought her into the house.

  “Give me a minute,” Maverick said dryly, getting out of bed. “I’ll get them for you.”

  “Never mind,” Charlie said, voice tight. She grabbed the ugly green knitted blanket from the floor, slid her feet into his boots and disappeared before he had a chance to say or do anything.

  What the hell?

  Maverick made quick work of the bathroom, deciding he’d deal with his sheets in a bit. He was just pulling on his jeans when he heard the front door slam, followed by boots on the stairs.