Mr. Wham Bam (2 page)

Kenzie saw the dark Range Rover pull into the parking lot and knew the time was upon her to put up or shut up. How would he react if she changed her mind? Not that it really mattered. No meant no, and she had the right to have doubts. But she wasn’t the type to tease, and it had been a long time since she’d had a partner. Cobwebs were probably forming in certain areas due to lack of use even now, and that was a sin in itself. Tonight, she was going to see what all the fuss was over Jace.

The girls had been incensed he was Mr. Wham, Bam, Thank You, Ma’am, but they’d also said he was one of the best lovers they’d ever had. Both of the women she’d heard talk of him had been infuriated he’d gotten what he wanted, but then each one had looked wistful when she recounted his sexual prowess. It made sense; it sounded like he’d had plenty of practice.

Butterflies began to dance in her stomach as the black SUV rolled closer. Was she really going to do this?

Michelle burst out of the club, Kenzie’s coat over her arm. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Get your ass back inside!”

Kenzie grabbed her coat and pulled slowly, a smirk twisting her lips. Michelle snatched a sleeve, refusing to let it go. Kenzie was careful not to tug too hard, knowing she’d end up on her ass on the sidewalk in front of Jace.

“You know what Carolyn and Georgia said about
this
one. Do you really want to be another notch on his bedpost?” Michelle’s anger slowly turned to disappointment, creases of worry wrinkling her brow. “I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“I’m a big girl. And I know what I’m walking into.” The lie was too easy to say. She knew she was in over her head, and she hadn’t even stepped foot into the vehicle yet. Jace inched up to the curb, the idle purr of the engine rolling over her already too-sensitive skin. The gentle thrum of the music inside made her clit throb even harder.

“You’re drunk and in no way, shape, or form prepared to make this decision tonight.” Michelle broadened her stance, looking ready to fight.

“I want to get laid. He’s easy. Sounds pretty darned convenient to me.” She wobbled once more, and then she collected herself quickly. There was no reason Michelle needed to know just how drunk she really was.

“You’ll be mad at yourself, and me, tomorrow.” Arms crossed over her chest, Michelle was giving her the mad-mom look she normally relegated to her son.

“Promise I won’t. Scout’s honor.” She held up two fingers and chuckled. She had to have a taste. This was the only way she could indulge and get away with it, claiming a drunken night of excess as her excuse later. Kenzie allowed her smile to fade, seriousness taking over. “I gotta do this, Michelle.”

Her friend stood staring for several heartbeats, a myriad of emotions running over her face. Kenzie knew Michelle would do anything to save her from herself, but in this moment, she needed no saving.

“I don’t want any phone calls from you crying the blues when he’s done and then left you like he’s done to the rest.” Michelle’s ire was back, an evil glint in her eyes.

“I know. I love you.” Kenzie stepped backward as she spoke, knowing she would have done anything for Michelle not to see how low she’d fallen tonight.

“No you don’t, or you’d listen to me.” Michelle turned to walk back inside. Pausing at the door, she cast a look over her shoulder. “And you know your ass can call me, no matter what. I love you. Be safe.”

Kenzie turned to look back at the Rover and jumped as she spun right into a big, wide chest. She hadn’t even heard him exit the car, let alone get all ninja up in her space. She looked up slowly, trying to hold back the moan that threatened to escape her lips. He smelled so damned good; the subtle scent of clean, fresh man and expensive aftershave filled her nose. She inhaled deeply, letting the scent tattoo itself on her soul.

Tonight might be all about one night of pleasure, but damned if she wasn’t going to remember everything about it. If he really was that good in bed, hopefully it would erase all the bad experiences she’d had in the past.

Kenzie had never been lucky in love. She’d dated some nice boys, had some sweet relationships, but nice and sweet didn’t equate to hot and steamy in the bedroom. Her past lovers had never been able to satisfy her, as she had a dark side she was afraid to admit to. Those good, sweet guys, who seemed to only know the missionary position, would have left her if she’d opened up about what she really wanted them to do to her.

Images of Jace tying her to his bed, as he’d promised, rushed through her mind. He promised her a night she’d never forget, and she was going to hold him to it, while she had the liquor in her system to strengthen her resolve, of course.

Her hand rested on his chest, put there when she crashed into him. His heartbeat was slow and steady under her fingers, the complete opposite of her erratic one she feared he could see pumping out of her chest. Her legs felt like rubber, and she wondered if it was the desire she felt or the shots she’d drunk over the course of the night.
Maybe a little of both?

The fact he seemed cool as a cucumber made her feel even more ruffled. She needed to get it together, but the world started to spin a little. Getting it together was nearly impossible.

Kenzie felt the warmth of his breath fanning her face; a hint of peppermint hit her and mingled with the tantalizing musk of his cologne. She lost her balance and bowed into him, and he reached out to grasp her hips, pulling her closer to him. Heat from his body bled into her, and she sighed in delight. The night was quickly getting colder the longer she stood outside.

“Hi.” His deep voice rumbled through her, and she shivered. “You’re cold. Put your jacket on, silly.”

He tugged the balled-up cloth from between them and spread the material over her shoulders as she leaned into him. He then pulled her cell phone from the death grip she had on the device and slipped it into one of her coat pockets.

“So just how drunk are you?”

She eyeballed him, trying to gauge how much advantage he was going to attempt to take tonight. “Just a little.”

He chuckled when she pinched her forefinger and thumb together in front of him. “I’d say you’re more than just a little.”

Opening her mouth to disagree, she wobbled. He rested his large hands on her rib cage, settling her.

Yeah, more than a little.

“How about I get you home?” He turned to stand beside her, a warm palm going to her lower back as he escorted her to the passenger side. He then opened the door and lifted her into her seat. She wasn’t short by any standards at five-seven, and didn’t need his help to get into the SUV, but the macho display of him lifting her into the vehicle definitely got her pistons firing.

Boy, he really does know how to play a good game. The charm is thick. What the hell? Let’s get lost in his little world.

When he reached in to grab her buckle and pulled it over her, his knuckles grazed her arm, sending little tingles up it. Jace turned his head as he began to click the mechanism in, and his face was mere inches from hers. His lips were so perfect, not too large, but full enough that she knew she would enjoy his kisses. He smiled at her again, and she felt her heart stop for a second.

Jace leaned in, his lips moving closer to her own. She held her breath, waiting for him to brush against her. Closing her eyes, she readied herself for the touch.

That never came.

She opened her eyes. He was still mere inches from her. His clear gray eyes seemed to seek her gaze before locking on to it. His intent look seemed to penetrate her, waiting for a response, a thought, a whisper … something; she knew not what. But his stare heated her blood, made her yearn for all the things he’d promised and more.

Jace stood back and closed the door without touching her again. Kenzie felt exasperated, having been so ready for his lips on hers. What was he waiting on? She gritted her teeth in annoyance as she watched him walk to the other side and climb into the driver’s seat.

“Where to?”

“I thought we were going back to your place?”

“Kensington, you’re
really
drunk. I didn’t realize just how far gone you were in your texts. I’m not sure this is a good idea. Not tonight. Not like this.”

Wait, is he trying to back out?
“So you’re going to blow me off, too?”

“Too? I’m not blowing you off. I just want you to be a completely willing partner. And conscious.”

“I’m willing. And very conscious.” She unhooked her seat belt and climbed to her knees, pulling her dress higher to show him a hint of the red lace panties underneath.

His eyes flashed with lust and locked on her core. She saw his hands fist at his sides and knew he was struggling with control, which made her smile. At least one person wanted her tonight, and he was going to follow through on his promises. A few well-placed seductive moves, and he would be hers. There was no way he was going to back out now. She was here. She was ready.

Kenzie leaned over the console, and starting at the knee, she drew her fingers up his thigh, moving toward his cock. She noted his shaft was already stiffening and tenting his jeans. He caught her wrist before she could touch him and investigate what was under the denim.

“Okay, okay. Sit down and buckle up. I’ll take you to my place.”

Chapter 2

Kenzie woke up in the front seat. She’d apparently dozed the whole way to Jace’s house, lulled to sleep by the gentle thrum of the engine. Feeling lethargic, she stretched, the warm air from the vents making her all the sleepier. She’d had plans for him on the drive over, but she’d missed the opportunity while playing Sleeping Beauty. She reached for the door handle as he came to a halt in his driveway and heard a stern, “No.”

Jace bounced out of the front seat and then jogged to her side of the car. She watched him moving, trying not to allow the unexpected chivalry to touch her heart. This wasn’t the beginning of a relationship; it was one night of bliss. Or at least, that was the hope. And he probably did this with every woman he bedded; it was the web he wove around them, suckering them into opening their thighs for him.

She was a sure thing, so why was he trying so hard?

He opened her door and held her waist, helping her down. He pulled her close, wrapped her coat over her shoulders once more, and then closed the car door. The heavy
thud
of the closure echoed in the chilly night, the neighborhood quiet at the late hour. Moonlight burst from behind a heavy cloud, and the illumination made the planes of his face more visible, not that she needed a reminder of how incredibly gorgeous he was.

His face was already etched into her mind, coming up at the least opportune moments and in the middle of the night, when her defenses were down and he could invade her dreams. Her fingers often found her clit in the dead of night, and she imagined how he would feel, straining over her, his cock deep inside her pussy. Thoughts of him fucking her brought her to release time and time again. Now she had the chance to find out what he felt like in reality; she just hoped it was as good as her fantasies. They stood there motionless for several moments as she leeched some of his body heat. She swayed slightly with intoxication, both from alcohol and his nearness, waiting for him to make a move.

“Kensington—” He said her name so seductively, a whisper of air over those incredibly flawless lips. Knees trembling, she felt a rush of need unlike any she’d experienced. She looked up at him, his brows slash marks over his shimmering eyes. An arrow-straight nose jutted from between hard-edged cheekbones, pointing to those luscious lips she wanted to nibble and the chiseled chin below them. He was too perfect, so handsome he was almost painful to look at.

Something below the surface must be wrong; there must be some imperfection that his face and body hides. A lack of personal connection? A refusal to commit? Is that it, or does the rabbit hole go farther?

He dropped his lips lower, covering hers in a firm kiss. As she sighed against his mouth, he took the opening, swiping his tongue inside. Kenzie leaned into him, taking advantage of his firm strength. Breathing became nearly impossible, as the need within her ratcheted up a few more notches.

Jace reached an arm behind her as he leaned in closer. For a moment, she was afraid he was falling on top of her and she’d not be able to hold up six and a half feet of hard-packed male. But she was pulled into the air a few moments later, a squeal coming from her lips.

“Laying it on thick?” He was straight out of a romance novel. Is that what he used to plot his seductions? Did he stay up long hours into the night, reading smut-filled, grocery-store romances for tips on how to woo a woman properly?

“Thick?” His brows furrowed as he began to walk toward his house, one arm under her shoulders, the other below her knees.

She had to admit, there was something incredibly sexy about a man who could just pick her up and carry her off into the sunset, even if it were only for one sunset.

Jace carefully lowered her to her feet as they neared the door, and he fumbled with his keys a moment. He dropped them and then dipped to pick them up, fumbling some more. It was the first time she’d seen him not completely cool and collected, and she rather liked seeing a little chink in his armor. It made him appear more real, for once. Had her presence caused that? She smiled inwardly as she imagined perhaps it did. And she liked the warmth it created within her to consider it.

Once the door was open, he immediately pulled her to him and ushered her inside.

“What? No carrying me over the threshold?”

He brought his lips close to hers, his body hulking over her. “We can step outside and try it again if you really want.”

“No, what I really want is for you to take me to your bed and fuck me as thoroughly as promised.”

His fingers stilled. He’d been tracing them up her arm before she spoke, and she was not happy he’d stopped. Little electric currents had zipped through her body. They needed to continue.

“I think you need a cup of coffee, or two, first. Why don’t we head to the kitchen?”