Sweet Talkin' Scoundrel (10 page)

A cry shot from my mouth as he took hold of my hips. He pulled my ass out farther. My pussy nearly convulsed with wanting him to fill me. He plunged into me, and I pushed against the shelf as he pumped his cock inside of me. My body writhed in his grip as I silently pleaded for him to go deeper.

His deep groan rolled down over my shoulders, and the sound of his pleasure sent me over the cliff. Worried that someone might hear, I turned my face to muffle my cries on my shoulder.

“You belong with me, Kinley. You fucking belong with me,” he growled as he rocked hard against me. A sweet ache filled my pussy with each thrust.

His movements grew more urgent and his fingers dug into my hips as he held me steady. And all I could think was that I
did
belong with him. I couldn’t imagine anyone else’s hands holding me after being held by Dax.

“Fuck yeah, baby.” A deep, guttural sound came from his chest as he came.

His breathing was still fast and shallow as he wrapped his arms around me and kissed my neck. “With me, Rabbit. That’s where you belong.”

Chapter 16

Dax

When she was
in my line of sight, nothing could pull my attention from her. The earth could open up and release an army of glowing aliens and I’d still be looking at Kinley. It was nearly impossible to think that in such a short amount of time, she’d wrapped herself completely around my heart. 

Even though it was technically my home, I rarely stayed on the island. Even though Katherine had given her usual grudging, twisted mouth, response of  ‘yes, James can stay, this is his home too’ in front of Becky and Kinley, I knew I was about as welcome as a swarm of locusts. As much as I enjoyed seeing Becky, I wouldn’t have even considered staying the night if being near Kinley hadn’t come along with the invite.

Becky and Kinley had set up an impressive pile of pillows on the floor in the television room. It seemed Katherine was allowing a lot more freedom these days. Normally, she liked everything to be in its proper place, and pillows on the floor was definitely not in the rules. She’d even allowed the generator to stay on later so they could watch a movie. I could only reason that Katherine liked Kinley and didn’t want to do anything to mess up her little plan. Of course, that meant that Marcus was equally pleased with the new tutor because if he wasn’t, Katherine would have sent her packing like all the others.

None of it surprised me. Kinley was the kind of person who could charm her way into even the most impenetrable heart. The one part of Katherine’s scheme that she hadn’t planned for was me falling for Kinley too. But I’d never given my cynical stepmother any reason to think that I would. I’d never given my heart to anyone. As far as Katherine was concerned, I was incapable of love. That had always given her peace of mind. My perpetual playboy status guaranteed that I would never interfere with her greed.

Becky handed me a bowl of popcorn. “Extra butter, the way you like it. But don’t get greasy fingerprints on anything.”

“On anything?” I shot a secret wink at Kinley. She pulled her face away pretending not to catch my meaning, but her cheeks darkened.

Becky settled on a pillow next to Kinley, and I sat on the floor across from them with the couch to lean against. I was directly across from Kinley, who was having a hell of a time trying to avoid my gaze. And I was having a hell of a time teasing her with it.

“Wait!” Becky hopped up from the pillow and went to the bag she’d packed for the night. She pulled out three flashlights and raced over to turn out the lights. She flicked on a flashlight, scurried back and plopped down on the pillow.

She handed each of us a flashlight. “Don’t tell Mother. I took them from the emergency kit. Thought they’d add to the slumber party atmosphere.”

I flicked on my light. While Becky busied herself getting comfortable on the pillows, I drew the light along Kinley’s body from her feet up to her breasts. She fidgeted and tried hard to keep certain intimate parts out of the spotlight.

“Should we start, Becky?” Kinley asked sounding slightly flustered. “It’s getting late, especially if you still want to see the movie.”

The door to the room opened, and the lights splashed back on. Becky shoved her flashlight under the pillow. Kinley and I followed her lead.

Katherine’s self-important steps snapped sharply across the floor. She looked down at me. Her mouth pulled in a grim line, like it always did when she saw me. “James, I hadn’t realized you’d still be in here.”

“I was invited to hear the mummy’s curse story.” I looked up at her with the disaffected expression I’d perfected just for her. I decided long ago that when dealing with Katherine Underwood it was easier for me to stay cold and neutral. Anger only served to make her hate me more, and I didn’t want to lose the ability to see Becky. Of course, Katherine would never be able to find another interisland pilot as easy to reach and as flexible with hours.

Becky cleared her throat. “Mother, we are just about to hear the story. You’re ruining the mood.”

“Fine then, I’ll leave you to it. Are you staying in the manor, James? I didn’t have your room made up for a visit.”

I leaned back and stared up at her. I couldn’t count how many times as a kid I’d tried to make the woman see me as someone other than a thorn in her life. But she’d never wanted me in her family, and there wasn’t a damn thing I could have done about it. If it hadn’t been for Jack, I would have run away. But he had been the one person in my life I could trust.

“I’m staying out in the guest house.” She damn well knew that’s where I’d be staying, but it seemed she didn’t want to appear too callous in front of Kinley. It was a pretty transparent effort on her part to seem motherly. I was sure Kinley saw right through it.

Katherine walked out of the room, and the tension in the air melted instantly. She was the only person I knew with the supernatural ability to change the atmosphere in a room just by entering it.

Becky jumped up with a frustrated sigh and repeated her trip to the lights. The room went dark. I took the seconds before Becky’s return to rub my foot against Kinley’s leg. The hot moments in the carriage house had left me wanting more. Not only was I thinking about Kinley all the time, I was physically craving her to the point that it hurt. The vision of her braced against the shelf waiting for me to fuck her was permanent in my head, reminding me just how badly I wanted her. Just how badly I needed her to be with me.

Becky returned and we pulled out the flashlights. “Ready,” she proclaimed.

Kinley shined the light beneath her chin in an attempt to look spooky, but all it did for me was highlight her lips, her eyes, her face and remind me how badly I wanted to be alone with her.

“It all started when my parents were studying the Pyramid of Khafre in Giza. He was a 4th dynasty Egyptian king. I was eleven at the time, just a little younger than you.”

Becky’s eyes were round with interest as she listened.

“I was hanging back in one of the long corridors, kicking some of the sand around with my shoe just to let my parents know I was bored and that I wanted to go above and eat. But they were completely absorbed in their exploration and didn’t notice my quiet little tantrum or the dust that I’d kicked up along the way. And trust me, ancient dust makes your eyes burn. I’d stopped to wipe my eyes with my shirt, and when I lowered it, my parents were
gone
.” Kinley was a good storyteller, knowing just when to put the right emphasis on a word, and she had Becky’s full attention. She had mine too, but for entirely different reasons.

Kinley lowered the flashlight and continued. “I hurried through the dust cloud I’d created as I called for my parents, but only my own voice echoed back at me.”

Becky grabbed her arm. “Oh my gosh, did the mummy get them?”

Kinley smiled. “No, they turned a corner when I wasn’t looking.”

“And apparently they weren’t watching you either,” Becky added with the judgmental tone she’d learned from her mom.

“That was sort of my mom and dad’s style. They let me take care of myself a lot.”

“I wish my mother would let me take care of myself more. Except I don’t want to get lost in a mummy’s house.”

“A pyramid is a tomb,” Kinley corrected her. “So glad you were paying close attention to your lessons.” Kinley’s blue gaze flitted across the way and locked with mine for a second. It rendered me temporarily breathless.

“Anyhow, as I was scurrying through the narrow passages looking for my parents, my hands trailed the walls, helping me find my way to the corners. I entered one passage and my finger flew off something smooth in the otherwise rough, dusty walls.”

“What was it?” Becky nearly climbed into her lap with the question.

“I leaned as close as I could to the wall and saw that it was a smooth blue stone. It was the only one I could find, so I figured it had been placed there when the pyramid was being built. Then I did what any self-respecting eleven-year-old with a love of shiny things would do—I dug it out of the wall and put it in my pocket to take home.”

Becky shrugged. “A souvenir.”

Kinley pointed at her. “See, that’s what I told myself too. The only problem was that after I put that shiny stone in my pocket, all kinds of bad luck followed.”

The door opened behind us breaking us all from the story. Katherine’s shoes marched across the floor again. I was pretty sure about the reason for her visit.

“James, could you meet me in the kitchen? I need your help with something.”

Kinley’s brows knitted together as she looked at me.

I tossed her back a weak grin and pushed to my feet.

“Mother, you said he could stay and hear the story,” Becky protested.

“Well, I need his help,” Katherine snapped back before marching out of the room.

Kinley peered up at me and her lips parted. It seemed she wanted to question what was happening but knew not to bring it up in front of Becky.

“Well, Beck, you’ll have to tell me all about the curse next time I see you.” I moved my attention back to Kinley. “Guess after I help with the
urgent
problem, I’ll head out to the guest house, the little building way out there in the back of the property where I’ll be completely alone.”

“Good thing Kinley hasn’t gotten to the scary parts yet, otherwise you might have a hard time sleeping,” Becky teased.

“I will definitely have a hard time sleeping.” I winked at Kinley before leaving the room.

As I turned into the hallway, I saw Marcus slinking out of the kitchen where he’d just been having a terse conversation with his mom. I was just as glad not to have to talk to him. Katherine looked up from her cup of tea and day planner as I walked into the kitchen. She opened her mouth to start a lecture, but I put up a hand to stop her.

“Don’t bother, I already know what you’re going to say.” I headed to the refrigerator and pulled out a piece of cold chicken and a half empty bottle of wine.

Katherine wasn’t the type to be stopped from a lecture. “It’s just not appropriate. They are sitting on pillows and ready to have a girls’ slumber party.”

I didn’t acknowledge her or look back as I headed with my food and drink out the back door.

Chapter 17

Dax

The warm glow
of the kerosene lamps provided just enough light and some warmth against the chill in the room. I’d taken off my shirt and shoes and stretched out on the single mattress bed of the guest house to finish off the wine. It was no substitute for beer, but Katherine never bought beer. It wasn’t up to her standards. Very little was up to her standards. From what I could tell, the woman had been born snooty, came right out of the womb with her tight lips and haughty chin lift. I was sure that even as a little girl she’d walked around with her prep school posture and pursed mouth, disapproving of everything. And she sure as hell always disapproved of me. Katherine and Marcus were a perfect team of stone-faced statues. Marcus, whose germ phobia and insecurities only grew worse after Jack’s death, had latched onto his mother and never let go. Becky had been lucky enough to inherit her dad’s personality and sense of humor. 

I wasn’t the least bit surprised that Katherine had pulled me from the fun in the television room. She always worked hard to make sure I never fit in with anything happening in their life. After Jack’s death, she did all she could to make me feel out of place. I eventually enlisted in the air force and was thrilled to get out on my own and out from under her permanent scowl.

It was well past midnight, and I’d given up any hope that Kinley would consider sneaking out of the house to see me. She seemed content enough with her job not to put it in jeopardy. And tonight’s short, stealth meeting between Katherine and Marcus followed by my quick removal from the slumber party assured me they were pleased with their choice of
tutor
. I wasn’t sure how long I could stay out of
their scheme
this time around, especially because this time my heart had been thrown into the mix.

I heard the slightest shuffling sound outside and tamped down my excitement, reminding myself it was probably a critter looking for food. Just as I’d pushed away the idea that Kinley was outside, a light knock landed on the door.

I strode the three steps to the door and pulled it open. She was hugging herself against the cold mist shrouding the island. Her cheeks were pink from the journey. “Becky decided to sleep in her own bed. I think my story might have—”

I reached for her arm, pulled her inside and ended her sentence with my kiss.

I lifted my mouth from hers and pushed a strand of hair from her face. “Didn’t think you would come.”

“Trust me, I was halfway to the door four times before I finally talked myself into leaving the house.”

I slid my hand under her sweater and smoothed my palm along her back. “And, are you glad you took the risk?”

“Guess that depends on the
reward
.”

“Well then . . .” I reached for the hem of her sweater and pulled it off. I opened the clasp on her bra and her beautiful breasts sprang free, her nipples hardening beneath my intense scrutiny. “I think my new favorite hobby is undressing you.” I grabbed the belt loop on her jeans and yanked her against me.

“If that’s the case, do you want me to put the sweater on so you can take it off again?”

“Funny little Rabbit. Push off your shoes.”

Kinley switched from foot to foot and kicked off her shoes. She pressed her soft lips against my chest as I went to work on her jeans. I pushed them down, taking the panties off at the same time.

She threw her arms around my neck. Her nipples rubbed against my chest and my already hard cock pushed against my fly, wanting to be set free.

She stopped her kiss. Her lush lips turned down at the sides. “Dax, I’m sorry Katherine didn’t let you stay.”

“No, don’t even say her name. I’ve only got you alone for a short time, and I don’t want to waste one second of it talking about her. Besides, this was my end goal for staying on the island tonight.” I stepped back and took hold of her wrists. I held her arms out to her sides and took my time gazing at every inch of her. “God, you are fucking beautiful, baby.”

She took a quick visual tour of the room as I led her to the bed. “It’s fairly primitive compared to the manor. It’s even lit with hurricane lamps.”

“Sorry I couldn’t offer you better accommodations.”

“On the contrary”—she settled back on the bed—“I love it.”

I stood over the bed, staring down at her naked body as I took off my jeans.

She peered up at me with a sweet, innocent blink of her lashes. Then she licked her bottom lip and bent her knees. She pressed her feet on the bed and let her knees fall open.

I shoved my jeans the rest of the way off. She squealed as I jumped onto the bed. I grabbed her ankles and spread them even farther apart. I lowered myself down to my stomach and settled my face right at her pussy. “Can I just say the way you mix wild and hot in with sweet and innocent makes me permanently fucking hard.”

“Didn’t even realize I was doing that, so good for me . . . I guess.” She giggled as I lowered my mouth to her pussy. But as my tongue stroked her, finding her tight, hot clit, her laughter softened to a sexy mewling sound that made me groan in response. 

I slipped one hand beneath her ass and lifted her pussy higher to my mouth. She moved her hips back and forth as I penetrated her with my tongue, taking time in between to nibble teasingly at her clit.

I gazed up at her as I brought her closer to climax. She had her arms stretched above her head, holding onto the edge the mattress and using it to brace against the pressure of my mouth. Her flawless skin glowed golden in the flickering lantern light, and her dark lashes cast curly shadows on her cheeks. Her pink lips, slightly swollen from my kisses, parted as she released a soft, appreciative moan, a sound that sent my pulse racing. Everything about her made my fucking head spin and my cock ache with need. I couldn’t ever remember wanting any woman as badly as I wanted Kinley.

The urgent whimper coming from her lips assured me she was close to coming. She arched her body, pushing her pussy harder against my mouth. “Oh, Dax, yes, Dax.”

I lathed my tongue over her clit as I impaled her with my fingers. She arched her body up higher, curling her legs around my shoulders. My fingers were slick with her cream as I pushed them deep inside.

“Yes, Dax!” she cried out. Her body trembled as she came against my mouth.

As the shuddering waves in her body slowed, she reached down for me. “I need you now, Dax. Please.”

I rose up on my hands and quickly put on the condom I had placed next to the bed.

I leaned over her and gazed down at her. The pink flush of an orgasm still covered her skin, and it sent heat surging through my body. “You are something else, Rabbit. You’re worth fighting for.” The words were meant for my head, but I was out of my mind with the need to fuck her and I’d spoken them aloud.

Kinley’s dimples creased her cheeks as she reached up and curled her hand around my neck. “You won’t have too many opponents in that fight. I’m as unattached as a girl can be. Or at least used to be.”

“Damn right, you’re attached now, baby.”

She sucked in a breath as I pushed inside of her. “Your pussy feels so good. Never going to leave it.” I rocked inside of her, slow and measured at first. But she had me so hard, I couldn’t hold back.

Kinley’s hands smoothed over my shoulders and down my back. She wrapped her legs around me, and I drove myself deeper. It felt as if the entire carriage house was creaking and swaying with our rhythm.

“Harder,” she sighed. “I want more of you.”

I reached under her ass to hold her firmly in my grasp. Her pussy milked me close to coming, but I didn’t want it to end. “I want you to come again,” I groaned in her ear. “Come for me.”

I dropped to the mattress and pulled her around with me so she was on top, straddling me, still holding my cock deep inside. Her eyes drifted shut as she braced her hands against my chest and writhed over me, pushing back to take in more of me. All the while she pressed her pussy and clit against me.

Her soft, erotic moans rained down on me as I shoved my cock up to meet her each time. Her head lolled back as she absorbed every inch of me. I gritted my teeth to keep from coming.

“Oh, Dax.”

I reached down and gripped her ass, helping to keep the rhythm tight and hard. Her fingers dug into my skin as she cried out in ecstasy. She was still deep in the throes of an orgasm, hardly able to sit upright, but I pulsed my hips, rubbing the full length of my cock against her clenched pussy.

My grip on her ass tightened, and she stared down at me as I came inside of her.

Kinley lowered her body over mine and curled up against me. My arms tightened around her and our hearts tapped against each other as our bodies cooled down to the temperature in the room.

“So was it worth the risk?”

She wriggled down to my side and cradled her head against my shoulder. “Yes, you are totally worth the risk. Damnit,” she added as an afterthought.

“Not sure if that’s good or bad but since damnit rarely goes with anything good.”

Her tawny hair brushed over my arm as she lifted her head to look at me. “You were the last thing I need in my life, Dax but . . . damnit . . . I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Well, maybe a nicer airplane with the neck rests and warm cookies. But the pilot—” She lowered her mouth and kissed me. “I wouldn’t switch pilots for all the warm cookies in the world. Even white chocolate macadamia nut, my personal favorite and dessert downfall.” She glanced around the room.

“If you’re looking for a clock, I don’t have one.”

“I should—.”

I pulled her into my arms. “No, don’t say it.”

“Really, I should—”

I interrupted her with a kiss. Her laugh stopped it short.

“I’m supposed to be sleeping on the floor of Becky’s room. What will she think if she wakes up and finds an empty blanket?”

“See, I can throw cold water on that reasoning right now. My little sister doesn’t wake for anything. One time when we were young, Becky came running into my room because of a thunderstorm. She crawled into bed and slept like a stone all night, even with the storm raging outside. She snored right through my cussing when her little knuckles landed hard on my nose in the middle of one of her dreams. She sleeps solidly. So, I figure you can stay until dawn when Katherine rises from her crypt to put on her face.”

Kinley sat up. I knew what the tilt of her lips meant.

“So, you’re leaving me out here alone? You didn’t tell me how the mummy’s curse story ended.”

“I’ll give you the quick version. After a stubbed toe, a scorpion under my bed and a bad case of hives from something I ate, I insisted my dad take me back to the pyramid to return the stone. Which he did. Then, on the way out, he told me it wasn’t an ancient stone at all but a piece of glass someone must have stuck in the wall to fool a tourist. I felt extra silly. But the bad stuff stopped and here I am.”

“I’ll bet Becky had a good laugh about the ending.”

“She did. Although I think she was sort of disappointed I didn’t have to actually fight off a mummy to get rid of the curse.” Kinley looked out the window. The only part of the manor that was visible from the guest house was the massive portico that jutted out over the porch. “I do worry that she’s missing out on a lot being stuck here on this island.”

“You mean you think being stuck here with Katherine and Marcus and without normal people and kids is a problem? I’ve had a lot of arguments with Katherine about this, but you know how she is. In fact, knowing I’m against it probably only strengthens her resolve to
imprison
Becky here.”

“Well, Becky is happy and well-adjusted so maybe we’re over-thinking it.” She climbed off the bed. I sat up on my elbow and watched her get dressed.

“I prefer the opposite,” I noted. “You getting naked. How the hell am I supposed to get through the night knowing you are right across the lawn?” I sat up, wrapped my hands around her waist and pulled her toward me. I placed a kiss on each breast before she pulled on her bra.

“You could conjure up some dirty dreams,” she suggested. “Maybe gets some ideas for the next time we meet.”

“Fuck, now that’s a homework assignment I can finish with enthusiasm.” I picked up my jeans. “I’ll walk you across the lawn.”

“No,” she said abruptly. “What if someone sees us?”

“Then we’ll wave and I’ll pull you into my arms and plant a kiss right on those amazing fucking lips.”

Kinley’s head tilted and a cute frown rounded down her lips. “Dax, I’ll be fine. I’m on a private island. I don’t think I’ll get mugged on the way back to the house.” She walked closer and pressed herself into my arms for a good-bye kiss. “Until next time. And don’t forget to do your homework.”