Arranging Love (5 page)

“For a special occasion or simply for floral arrangements?”

The stiletto heels of her boots clicked over the tiles as she sauntered up to the counter. “Well, I’m sort of pre-engaged, and I’m hoping to talk him into a New Year’s Day wedding. I heard
Tilling
Gardens
and Plants did bridal bouquets.”

“I most certainly do.” Meghan enjoyed that her reputation had grown, and along with it, her business. “May I ask who referred you?”

“Well, not a person, exactly … well, yes, a person, but…” Embarrassment fluttered across her high cheek bones. “What I mean is, this friend doesn’t know he referred me directly.” Her hands fisted in the pockets of her tight jeans. “He’s an old schoolmate, and I understand you may know him. Peter Maddock?”

Meghan schooled her features, trying to keep the shock of hearing Peter’s name trip off those blood red lips. “He’s my fiancé.” Meghan flashed the marquis diamond Peter had given her last spring in
Paris. Territorial didn’t even begin to describe the feeling tightening Meghan’s chest. “How did you say you knew him?” She and Peter had met his senior year at the
University
of
Maine
, and Meghan was sure she would have recalled if a woman this beautiful had been an ex-girlfriend.

Her fingers pressed the blond waves away from her face. “Oh, Peter and I went to high school together in south Philly.”

Her bubbly laugh raked over Meghan’s nerves like fingers on a chalkboard.

“You have a lovely shop.” Sarah played with the ornaments decorating the small tree on the counter.

“Thank you. It’s a family business.” Meghan looked at her watch. Maybe
Dee would be good to her word and show up again. Something about this woman wasn’t sitting right. “Would you like to look at floral books and perhaps get some estimates?”

“No, thank you. I just thought I’d stop in to have a look around. Thank you again…” She picked up one of the business cards on the counter. “Meghan Tilling.” Tucking it into the back pocket of her jeans, she walked to the door. “I’m sure I’ll be in touch.”

* * * *

Crystal grabbed the sunglasses from the visor and set them in place before starting her BMW. Delmont was such a quaint town, and this little shop of Meghan Tilling’s even sweeter. Unwilling to reveal her true identity or intention,
Crystal had given the mouse of a woman her baptismal name. She laughed as she threw the sports car into gear and sped from the lot.

Finding the true identity of
SingleandLooking21
had been as simple as offering one of her regular clients free services in exchange for his computer hacking expertise. Men were so easy to manipulate when their erections sucked all the blood from their brains.

Once she’d found out who Peter Maddock was, finding his address had been simple. Now that she had his name and address, she had every intention on finding everything out about him and integrating herself into his life. When everything was set, she would make him aware she was in town and intent on expanding their little online relationship.

Until then, she had other details to keep her busy.

Chapter 6

Meghan held Peter’s gift in her lap, sipping at the wine, which was going down faster than she’d anticipated. Now that she’d been staring at it for several hours, she had to admit it was a beautiful book.

Artistic nudes of women, bound in different positions and photographed in a myriad of locations, filled the pages. Every one of them was a tribute to the power and joy of human sexuality. There was nothing sordid or deviant about the images. They were beautiful—and sensuous.

Meghan sat on the couch in the office at home, the feeble glow of the lamp wrapping her in a soft cocoon of light. She flipped through the images until she found the picture that continued to draw her attention.

A young woman lay prone on her back in a wine cellar. Candles flickered in the crevices of the cement room. Sunlight sifted through a small window, shafting light on her body curved gracefully over two wine casks. Her arms were bound to a post behind her head while ropes secured her ankles. Her legs were pulled wide, exposing labia that were swollen and glistening with moisture. Her bottom lip was clenched tightly between very white teeth as if holding back a moan of pleasure.

A deeply tanned man stood beside her, the muscles of his chest lean and well-defined. A partial leather mask shielded his identity. The lower half of his body was hidden by the barrels, leaving the observer to speculate on his nudity and level of arousal. But if the steepled points of their nipples were any indication, both partners were sexually charged. In his left hand he held a whip-like instrument made of many tails of leather.

The woman’s heavy-lidded eyes stared up at him, anticipating the next move of his right hand currently splayed on her inner thigh. The soft smile on the man’s face spoke of love and tender lust. This was not a couple intent on pain and amoral behavior. This was a woman surrendering herself to her lover and allowing him to bring her to that sacred place of euphoria.

Her fingers grazed over the picture as if touching the couple would reveal their innermost desires. Peter chose that moment to come slamming through the front door, the chill of the evening swirling around him as he stamped his feet on the Aubusson rug.

“Damn that friggin’ garage door opener.”

Setting down the wine glass, she padded into the foyer. “I couldn’t get it to work, either.” Her voice was soft in the darkness. “No snow’s coming tonight. The cars’ll be fine in the drive. We can mess with it tomorrow.” She hugged the book to her chest, wondering how they would break through the wall of tension that had been erected that morning.

Peter focused on hanging his coat in the closet. “I pressed the button, but the stupid thing doesn’t move.” He shut the door and stepped toward her. “I just need to check and see if it needs batteries, rewiring, or replacing.” Resting his hands on her shoulders, he bent and brushed his lips across hers. There was no heat, just routine. “A mechanical engineer should be able to figure out his own garage door, for chrissake.”

She had to agree. It had been working sporadically for at least two weeks, but Peter hadn’t been home long enough to know that and pointing it out at this moment didn’t seem like it would help span a chasm of disagreement.

Peter looked over her shoulder at the half bottle of wine and the empty wine glass. “You started without me?”

She pointed behind her at the second glass. “Actually, I was waiting for you.”

“Meghan, I…” Peter pulled the book from her hand. “You’ve been looking at it?” His gaze roamed from the book to her eyes.

Her fingers moved on their own volition, reaching up to caress the firm muscles of his chest. “Peter, I’m sorry. It was very shortsighted of me not to listen to you this morning.”

“No, Meggie. I shouldn’t have jumped you like that.” He held the book up. “This isn’t something couples just plunge into. It should be discussed and negotiated and discussed some more.”

“Well, then, I’d like to discuss page seventy-eight.” Meghan stretched up on her toes and pulled his bottom lip into her mouth, grazing it with her teeth.

“You don’t have to…”

“No, I don’t have to do anything, but after I calmed down and thought about it, I realized there are probably a lot of couples who find this very satisfying.” She kissed his goofy grin. “And Jules said she and Damon…”

“You talked to your sister about it?” He laughed even as he pulled her to him. “How we men face each other, knowing nothing is sacred among the Tilling sisters, is beyond me.”

Meghan ground her pubic bone against his growing erection. “As I was saying, Jules said it can be fun and add a little spice to things.”

The room spun pleasantly as Peter scooped her into his arms. “Well, if your older sister gave her blessing, who am I to deny my fiancée the thrill of domination?”

* * * *

As many times as he’d made love to Meghan, she still heated his blood and made Peter’s mouth dry with want. Now here she was, trusting him to fulfill both their fantasies. Strapped naked to their bed, her flawless skin looked luminescent against the deep blue of the comforter.

He ran his fingers under the ropes coiled around her thighs, following the lead up to her tiny waist, making sure the tension was tight enough to restrict movement, but not uncomfortable. Her hips lifted as he ran his hand over the creamy skin of her belly and tangled his fingers in the thick curls of her sex. Already her nether lips were swollen and moisture glistened in the light of the bedside lamp. God, she was beautiful and needy—and all his. He tugged on her pubic hair, and she moaned. He spanked her hip.

“No noise. Nothing.” He’d told her not to talk, not to utter a sound unless he gave her permission, but the low moan of desire keening from her lips heated his blood. There was nothing he wanted in this world save for this woman and the knowledge that she trusted him in a way he never expected.

Peter checked the supplies they had gathered. Two leather belts, a feather boa from a Halloween costume, another coil of rope, several ties pulled from their bathrobes, and a vibrator. Not many toys to play with, but they would have to do for this first foray into a new realm of sexual fantasy.

Walking around the bed, he could only stare at his lovely fiancée. Just the sight of Meghan helpless and at his mercy could make him come. His cock jumped. He was so hard and ready. All he would need to do was plunge into her hot depths and release would be his, but he would have to wait. Her pleasure would come first.

Peter checked the ropes binding each wrist to the leg at the head and foot of the bed. They had positioned Meghan so her head hung over the side of the mattress, making her tits stand up proudly. The pearled peaks of her nipples begged for attention, and that was where he’d focus first. He bent close to her face, the curve of her throat inviting him to savor the taste of her, which he did.

“Comfortable, my love?”

Meghan nodded, but didn’t speak. She had taken on the part of submissive as soon as they entered the bedroom and she seemed to be enjoying her role in the fantasy as much as he.

“Tell me your safe word.”

“Lollipop.”

“Lickable sugar, just like you.” Peter’s teeth grazed her neck, and his tongue followed to sooth. He laid the silk scarf over her eyes and tied it behind her head, whispering in her ear. “Don’t forget, ‘yellow’ to ease up. ‘Lollipop,’ and I’ll stop and untie you.”

Her head bobbed, and her tongue flicked out to wet her lips. Peter picked up the belt. He wasn’t sure where to begin. Folding it in half, he snapped it together, and Meghan jumped. He did it several more times before bringing it down on her torso, the end flicking her mound. Her hips lifted off the bed in response. Once, twice more, pink marks showing up on the creamy skin of her thighs.

Taking the steepled peak of one rose nipple in his fingers, he pinched hard and pulled. She moaned and arched into his hand.

He brought the belt down harder on her thigh. “Silence.” Her lips parted, and she moaned again. “If you insist on using your mouth, put it to good use.” He guided his cock to her full lips, her eager tongue flicking out to lap at his pre-cum. Fisting his hand in her hair, he pulled and arched her neck back, his body demanding she take him into her mouth. Meghan complied, her impatient mouth sucking hard, surrounding him in her heat.

She had always been wonderful at pleasuring him orally, but seeing her bound, unable to resist, her masterful tongue laving the throbbing head of his cock nearly plunged him over the edge. Peter had never better understood the need for a cock ring than at this moment. He mentally added that to his list of toys to acquire.

While Meghan’s tongue and lips assaulted his cock, Peter continued slapping her with the belt, each time flicking the end across her sex. With his other hand and his mouth, he tortured her nipples, alternately tugging and biting, then soothing with the heat of his tongue. He could feel Meghan’s muscles grow taut, her chest heaving as her pleasure mounted.

Even though she’d agreed to this, Peter hadn’t expected her to be so responsive. Her moans of bliss vibrated against his skin, bringing the pleasure she offered his cock to a new level. Peter had to move, or surely he’d be spilling himself into his fiancée’s very talented mouth. He pulled away from her, bringing the belt down hard on her thigh, now red from his whipping.

“Quiet.”

Her lips pursed, and Meghan tried unsuccessfully to stop her panting.

Walking around the bed, Peter inhaled deep breaths, trying to still his own racing heart. For a moment, he turned and stared out the window, forcing himself to think of something else, anything, but the woman primed and waiting. He needed to slow his own need and focus on Meghan.

Peter padded to the bed stand and looked over his arsenal, trying to decide his next course of action.

Meghan lifted her head, craning to listen, but she didn’t speak. Anticipation was a strong aphrodisiac, and he would make her wait. The blindfold had been a wonderful idea.

He stared at her sex, open and wanting. Liquid desire coated her pussy lips and pooled on the comforter. She was so ready, and there was nothing Peter wanted more than to impale her and provide their aching bodies relief from the tension. But drawing it out would make that final release so much sweeter.

Flipping the switch on the vibrator, he watched her reaction to the low hum. Moisture seeped from her cleft, and her thighs quivered in anticipation. Peter ran the vibrator along the bottom of her foot, bending and taking her big toe into his mouth. His tongue swirled around the appendage before his teeth sank into the flesh. Meghan dug her heel into the mattress, trying not to buck against the unexpected sensation.

He worked on both her feet, not expecting them to be such an erogenous zone. Slowly, painstakingly, he worked his way up her legs, alternating his teeth with the soothing thrum of the vibrator. By the time Peter reached the juncture of her thighs, Meghan was writhing in a fevered pitch of need.

He ran the vibrator slowly up and down her creamy slit, her hips lifting in response. He couldn’t see her face, but her tits bounced with her panting. Her clit stood tall and in need of attention. He brought his mouth to her. The musky scent of her pleasure filling his nostrils was like a fire, igniting his own needs.

Plunging the vibrator into her pussy, Peter watched her back arch. Meghan’s groan filled him with want, but he couldn’t have her disobeying, and he brought his palm down hard on the flesh at her hip.

“I will stop if you continue to disobey me.”

She lifted her head, and Peter could see the wonderful lines of tension creasing her brow. “I’m sorry, master. Please don’t stop…”

He spanked her again, and she lay back, her body quivering with desire. Peter couldn’t remember ever having worked Meghan into such a fevered pitch of need. “Meghan, you do not have permission to come.” He pushed the vibrator into her and pulled it out several times in quick succession. “No matter what I do to your body, you must obey.”

Once again she lifted her head and nodded, her bottom lip pinched painfully between her teeth, trying to trap the moans of bliss.

Peter worked her body with his mouth and fingers and the vibrator until her muscles tensed, her orgasm imminent. Coming up on the bed, he knelt between her thighs. He could no longer contain his need to fill her. He ran the vibrator up and down her slit before pressing it into her ass. She nearly came as it entered.

“Wait for it.”

He needed no other stimulation than knowing Meghan was ready for him. He plunged his cock into her throbbing pussy, burying himself to the hilt, the vibrator humming against his balls. He’d never taken her with something in her ass, and it made her tighter than he expected. The silken heat of her channel surrounded him, her muscles urging him deeper.

Air rushed in and out of her lungs, and he leaned into her. “Meghan, my love, let go and soar.”

She groaned out nonsensical words of pleasure as her orgasm tore her apart. He pounded into her, feeling the divine pressure of his own release rise and fill him. He held her, anchored her as she quaked in ecstasy. Peter’s hips pistoned as Meghan arched once again, another orgasm pulsing through her body. She cried out his name, and he lost control, sending him spiraling into the abyss of ecstasy. Bliss poured through his body, sending jolts of pleasure to every cell even as his seed poured into her. Unexpectedly, she crested again, and he continued to pulse against her until their bodies stopped shuddering in contented pleasure.

* * * *

Crystal sat in her car, the low strains of piano music overriding the hum of the heater. She stared up at the shadows in the window, the only light on in the house. No doubt from the corner location on the second floor of the stately brick house, it was the bedroom.

She’d parked the Beemer down the quaint street and watched Peter enter the house. She hadn’t needed to follow him home. The Yellow Pages on the Internet had provided her with his address. But there had been guilty satisfaction in tailing a man who didn’t know he was being watched.

Crystal had found out a lot about the couple in the last few days. The knowledge had made her want to be close to this man more than she expected. She had every intention of becoming a significant person in Peter’s life, whether his fiancée approved or not.