Burned Deep (18 page)

Since I couldn't have his cock buried deep, I clasped his hand and dragged it to the apex of my legs. I couldn't explain the urgency of the moment, other than to say, “I need to feel
you
.”

His sexy growl sparked my nerve endings, instantly lighting me up like the Vegas Strip.

“You make me so damn hot,” he whispered into my hair. Two fingers plunged deep. I let out a gratified cry.

His skin, his heat, his very essence … I needed it all.

As Dane massaged my inner walls with just the right rhythm, I carefully lowered his briefs so I could curl my hand around his cock.

“Ari,” he said on a gruff sigh. “You'll make me come.”

“That's what I want,” I told him. “I want to feel you come in my hand, on my stomach—”

His mouth crashed over mine and he claimed it with passion and aggression. I was suddenly lost, drowning in a sea of erotic thoughts, sensations, desires.

I pumped his thick erection in my fist, moisture from the indentation in the tip of his head helping my hand to glide smoothly, with just a hint of friction. His hips bucked in time with my ministrations. All the while, his fingers inside me caressed masterfully.

When my breath caught in my throat, I had to tear my mouth from his. I was so close to falling apart again.

“You know the perfect spot,” I said, thinking of what he'd done to me in the limo, when my hands were tied behind my back.

The pads of his fingers rubbed my g-spot as though the man had the ultimate road map to my erogenous zones. He knew my body—had learned those intricate nuances so quickly.

“Dane.” I moaned, pleasure rippling through me. My foot flattened on the mattress, my hips lifted. “That's it.” I panted. “Oh, God. Right there.”

His mouth was on my neck again. His fingers stroked expertly. I felt myself unravel.

My hand pumped faster, closing over his head and then sliding down to his base before gliding back up. His breathing was as erratic as mine. His cock pulsed against my palm. The rush of getting him so worked up mingled with the sizzling between my legs and deep in my core.

“Squeeze me tight,” he whispered. I did. He grunted. “Yeah, just like that.”

His eyes locked with mine in the shimmery slivers of light. I was so dazed, so hypnotized by the sensual feelings, the burning in his eyes, the intensity of the intimate moments we shared. I wasn't at all myself. I seemed to float in a different realm, collecting all the flashes of excitement, disassociating myself from everything around me except for Dane. Vibrating from head to toe as the anticipation built between us, a near palpable sensation that enveloped us.

“Ari,” he murmured.

I knew he was as close as I was. I could feel it, home in on it. I wanted him to explode at the exact moment I did.

“Come with me,” I urged.

His fingers moved quickly within me. My pulse kicked up. I pulled in ragged slices of air. My lids grew heavy.

“Keep your eyes open,” he demanded.

The tension escalated. A tremor ran through me and then spread in all directions. My entire being stretched much too thin as Dane's gaze remained unwavering while he played me just right and I used his own pre-cum to pump him faster, more firmly.

“Jesus,” he ground out. “Fuck.”

I couldn't hold on a heartbeat longer. Everything inside of me erupted in a firestorm that singed me to the core. “Oh, God!”

“Ah, yeah, Ari. Baby. Just like that!” His hot seed coated my skin, his orgasm fanning the flames.

“Dane!” I screamed as excitement rocked me and I soared higher. My body shook violently, the trembling not just a physical response. He'd touched me so deep inside, so much deeper than the part of my body I'd considered to be the most intimate. He'd gone far beyond that.

And that left me stunned, blissed out … and terrified.

*   *   *

It took a short eternity for me to come down from my high. For me to break free of my lust-induced haze.

Dane carried me to the shower and I remained in my euphoric state as his soapy hands skimmed over my body. I returned the favor, exploring every inch of him, completely mesmerized, mystified. He was too incredible for words.

My hands trailed over his lean hips as I circled him in the oversized tub, the only thing about my modest townhome that could be considered large. My fingertips grazed the base of his spine and then my hand slid over his ass. He shot a heated look at me over his broad shoulder. I felt a blush coming on, but ignored it.

I stepped around Dane and faced him. I took in his powerful, virile body and it made my heart skitter.

When my gaze finally lifted to his devastatingly handsome visage, I still saw every inch of him in my mind's eye.

“You're beautiful,” I told him.

“Ari.”

“Really,” I said, breathless. “So beautiful.”

My palms splayed over his pecs as I went up on tiptoe to kiss him. His arms wound around me and he crushed me against him, holding me tight as he took over the kiss and turned it searing and sensational.

The spray of hot water against my back couldn't compete with the scorching feeling of his hard body against mine.

My fingers tangled in his wet hair. I held on for dear life as he kept me energized with his perfect kiss.

I was clearly beyond my passion threshold, by a lot. But Dane was in my house, I was in his arms, and since I really didn't know what tomorrow would bring—whether he'd still want me or not—I took advantage of the opportunity presented.

More than that, I just plain needed him. Desperately.

I broke our kiss and merely whispered, “Dane.” I nuzzled his neck, kissing the crook at his shoulder.

His hands swept over me. “Again?”

“Yes.”

He carefully turned me around. His hands cupped my breasts and his fingers toyed with my nipples as his mouth skated over my throat, tenderly biting.

“I don't want to make you too sore.”

“I'm fine.” Then I gave a slight shake of my head. “No. Not fine. I'm burning up.”

One of his hands slipped between my legs, his fingers sinking deep. The other arm spread over my chest, palming my breast, still teasing my nipple. He held me firmly. Stroked confidently.

I leaned forward, flattening a hand to the wall to stabilize myself. My legs quaked, my stomach quivered. I was trapped once more in his vortex, that disconnection of my past, who I used to be, as everything about him poignantly pressed in on me so that all that registered were the moments with Dane.

His strokes quickened along that spot inside that set me ablaze and made me ridiculously aroused. Seconds later, all the intensely erotic sensations he evoked burst wide open and I came again, calling his name.

“God, Ari,” he said against my temple as I rode the waves of ecstasy. “You have no idea how much I want you.”

“Can't be more than I want you,” I insisted as my body continued to tremble.

He held me awhile longer, until the shaking was a little more under control. Then he released me and shut off the water. He stepped out of the tub for towels and wrapped one around me before securing the other at his waist. He helped me out of the shower and I used the hair dryer while he disappeared into my room. Moments later, he strutted back into the bathroom, vibrator in hand. He dumped it in the trash.

“You won't be needing that again,” he said simply, smugly.

I watched him strut out. A tickle of delight ran along my skin.

When I lost sight of him, I spared a glance toward the wicker garbage bin. To the budget-minded, that was thirty bucks wasted. I didn't care. It'd never provide the same purpose following this evening.

I stripped off the towel, turned off the light, and went into the bedroom, pulling my Gretzky tee and panties on. I settled on the mattress next to Dane, who was propped against a pile of pillows. The rumpled covers were strewn haphazardly across his hips, just barely concealing what was an impressive bulge.

“So…,” I ventured as my fingers skimmed over his abs, which bunched beneath my touch. “This has been an interesting evening.”

He grinned. So lazy, cocky, sexy. “How many times did you come?”

“I lost count.”

“I didn't.”

Tiny microbursts exploded between my legs.
Amazing.

“I think you've finally exhausted me,” I confessed.

“Then curl up with me and sleep.”

I did as told. “You'll still be here in the morning when I wake up?”

He kissed the top of my head. “Don't doubt it for a second.”

*   *   *

There was definitely something to be said for the adage
be careful what you wish for.

In the morning, while we were still snuggled under the covers and his hands were roaming my body, Dane coyly suggested we have lunch together.

As in … a date. A real one. Not an interview that felt like a date. Not a meet-up at a party. An actual, honest-to-God date.

Panic slithered through me. But I had a legitimate excuse to evade him.

“That'd be great,” I said, “except that I'll be in Phoenix. Peoria, more specifically. My dad and I have a ten o'clock tee time at Trilogy at Vistancia while there's a break in the weather.”

“Excellent course.” He palmed my breast and lazily swept his thumb over my hard nipple, making it nearly impossible to focus on anything else. I barely heard him ask, “Have you played Blackstone?”

I all but purred under his touch but managed to say, “The private country club in Vistancia? No. My dad hasn't, either.”

“Would you like to?”

My stomach fluttered—not just from Dane's light teasing of my nipple. The devil knew all the right buttons to push.

“It'd be a highlight,” I dared to admit.

“Then cancel Trilogy and go to Blackstone instead. I'm a member. I'll leave your name with the guard at the gate.”

“You can't seriously get a tee time there at the last minute.”

“It won't be a problem.” Of course not. I'd forgotten who I was talking to—whatever Dane Bax wanted …

He pushed my shirt up and flicked his tongue over the taut peak, igniting my insides. Then he drew my nipple into his mouth and suckled deep. I moaned.

“Ten o'clock,” he said in a low voice, his warm breath on my skin keeping me highly aroused. “Ethan and I will meet you there.”

My body stiffened. “You're going to golf with us?” The panic hit full-on. I pushed him away, yanked down my shirt. This was serious business. I wouldn't let him distract me. Difficult as it was to have him stop. “With my
dad
?”

“Yes. I have to meet him sometime, right?”

I sat up. Dane didn't bump boundaries—he bulldozed right through them.

I couldn't even challenge him and demand to meet his parents. They were deceased.

Shaking my head, I said, “That would be a huge mistake of epic proportions.”

“I promise not to mention how many times I made his one and only daughter come last night.”

I laughed, despite the anxiety rushing through me. “It's nice to know you can tell a joke from time to time.”

He gave me a seductive grin. “Did you doubt it?”

“Please. Even you can't dispute that you're incredibly intense.” Edgy. Sexy. Dangerous. Too,
too
desirable.

I bit back a lusty sigh.

“I have a lot on my mind,” he said by way of a vague excuse.

Honestly, I was dying of curiosity to hear all about it. Was it just the hotel that made him so conflicted? Did it have anything to do with his massive wealth? His parents' deaths?

I considered the hint of guilt that had flitted in his eyes at one point, when we'd been waiting for Alex to bring our cars after the Delfino-Aldridge wedding. What would a man like Dane Bax have to feel guilty over? Had he decided to lie, cheat, and steal his way to the top? Or did he suffer survivor's guilt because he was alive and his parents weren't?

Questions, questions.
I needed some answers.

“So if I let you meet my father,” I ventured into risky territory, “will you tell me why there's almost next to nothing about you on the Internet?”

“You Googled me?”

“Naturally.” I wouldn't apologize for it. He'd researched me before offering me a job.

“We'll talk later,” he said as he threw off the covers and got to his feet. “I have to call Amano for a ride and make the reservation at Blackstone.”

His tone was clipped. He didn't like having the tables turned on him—clearly didn't appreciate that I intended to push back.

Too bad.
Even Satan had pesky archangels with whom to deal.

Dane dressed, kissed me, then said mischievously, “I also have to make a drugstore run.” He winked.

“Don't you dare flirt with me on the course. In front of my father … Ethan…”

Oh, crap.
I was in way too deep here.

Dane gave me another kiss—a slow, sexy one—before adding, “Get ready, or you'll miss our tee time.”

Then he sauntered off. Leaving me to wonder how he managed to talk me into everything he wanted.

 

chapter 10

I didn't bother informing my father of the venue change. I figured I'd surprise him, since we had to drive in the same direction as if we were playing Trilogy. I picked him up and we headed out of Sedona, then south on I-17. I tried to ignore the reminder of being on this highway just last night, with Dane doing orgasmic things to me—and having his cock in my mouth.

Making a man like him come was equivalent to locating the Holy Grail. I still couldn't believe I'd gotten him so hot and bothered. Had then gotten him off.

And what he'd done to me afterward, in my townhome …

My stomach flipped. Though now was hardly the time to think about all that. Instead, I engaged my dad in idle chitchat. When we reached the exit for Loop 303, I peeled off the highway and headed west. The temperature in the Valley had dipped with the nearly endless rainfall and it was a virtually unheard-of seventy-five degrees, according to the digital readout on my rearview mirror. A half dozen hot-air balloons rose above the desert landscape, with low mountains in the background.