High Noon (Between the Veils Series, Book Two) (6 page)

She released an easy breath. “I told you. He was a cheating ass and I was grateful for the chance to finally break free. And besides, that was nearly a year ago.”

He sighed. “Not him, sweetheart. Avery.”

“Avery? Blake. Sweetie. That was twelve years ago. I think I’m over your brother.”

Blake pushed off and rolled onto his sleeping bag. Though he realized it was childish, and borderline obsessive, knowing Avery had been with her bothered the hell out of him. What if he didn’t live up to his brother’s example or worse…what if he did? How would Avery react if he and Payton became an item? What would Temperance think? From his experience, having ex-lovers around rarely ended well.

Payton pushed onto her elbow, drawing his face back toward hers with a gentle finger. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

He tried to look away but she held firm.

He sighed again. “It’s just—it’s a bit distracting for me, knowing you and Avery were lovers first.”

Her chuckle caught him off guard and a surge of anger burned through some of his hesitations.

He sat up and faced her. “What?”

Her features sobered slightly, but her smile never faltered. “Blake. Avery and I weren’t lovers.”

Confusion swam through his mind, making it hard to concentrate. Not lovers? What the hell was she saying? They’d been together more than long enough for Avery to stake his claim.

He stared at her, trying to think past the sudden pounding of his heart. “Excuse me?”

She shrugged. “Not must else to say. Avery and I never had sex.”

“But…” He clamped his mouth shut, knowing it’d just hang there, gaping, if he didn’t.

“But what?”

He searched for the right way to voice his thoughts. “But you went out for over a year? Hell, Avery only knew Temperance for a couple of weeks before they got hitched. And they’d been sleeping together from the start!”

“Sweetie, I was sixteen when we started dating—hardly ready for sex. And by the time I would have been, well—we’d moved on to just friends.” She reached out and brushed the hair off his forehead. “I told you. The chemistry wasn’t there and not just for me. Avery never really saw me that way. I think he wanted to but…”

“But what? He was insane?”

She smiled, making his stomach drop to his feet. “I just wasn’t the one for him and it sounds like it turned out pretty good on his end. So…” She leaned in, her breath mixing with his. “Are you ready to jump, or not?”

Blake groaned as her lips brushed his again, slightly more hesitant than the last time. He waited for his head to clear before taking control, snaking one arm around her waist as he pulled her close, crushing her body against his. He swallowed her gasp of surprise, allowing the moan that followed to sound between them. Payton’s eyelids fluttered then opened, those brilliant blue eyes staring back at him. He held her gaze as he moved forward, taking them both onto her sleeping bag again. She shifted beneath him, cradling his still hard shaft between her thighs. Her breasts pressed against his chest, her nipples beading against her shirt.

He ran one hand down her side, tracing her soft curves until he reached the hem. He tried to calm his breathing as he eased his fingers under the cotton, moving his hand back up. Her skin felt soft compared to his, and he dipped in to taste the sensuous spot on her neck. Payton tilted her head, holding her breath as he nipped her throat at the same time his fingers brushed across one distended bud.

“God, Blake.”

He smiled against her skin, loving the husky rasp as his hand made another pass, two fingers flicking her nipple through her bra. The bud tightened further, pressing against his palm as he cupped her breast. She arched her back, increasing the pressure. He growled his intentions, moving his hand to the middle as he twisted open her bra and eased the cups apart, moaning at the hot feel of her skin on his. He eased his hand over, rubbing gentle circles across her breast.

Payton hissed out her breath, one hand tugging on his hair as the other reached for his shirt. He raised his body slightly, hating the loss of contact as he shoved his jacket off his shoulders before helping her yank his tee over his head. She tossed it off to the right, the soft whisper of cloth on the floor sounding from beyond the ring of light. Small fingers coasted across his back, the tips pausing to knead his muscles.

Blake rested his forehead on hers, savoring how her hands explored his body. She’d finally released his hair, her hand finding new purchase on his chest. She made small swirls across his skin, skimming it downward until she reached his jeans.

“These really need to go.” She tugged at the button as if the entire length of fabric would fall off him by sheer will alone. “Now.”

He eased back and smiled down at her. “Eager?”

She cupped his shaft through the denim. “I’m not the only one.”

He groaned as she squeezed his length, making his balls pull tight against his groin. Damn, she was going to make him come with nothing more than a gentle touch of her hand. He pushed onto his knees, swatting at her hand when she reached for his crotch again.

“Give me a chance to take them off, or I might just make a fool of myself.”

She traced her bottom lip with her tongue. “You said it yourself. We’re here all night. And I can’t think of a better way to spend the hours. I don’t mind playing while you recover.”

Damn. How could he argue with that? He sighed in defeat, plopping back on the pad and toeing off his boots as she twisted to her knees before him. Her fingers worked the button of his jeans free, the harsh rasp of the zipper pulsing his cock against his briefs. She paused with his pants split open, his shaft tenting the cotton between the sides. A small dot marred the surface and she hummed as she drew her fingers across the head.

“Wow, sweetie. There really isn’t anything
little
about you, is there.”

It wasn’t a question, and his harsh groan was all he could reply as she bent forward and nipped at his shaft through his shorts. He braced his weight on his hands, lifting his ass up as she fingered the waistband of his jeans and pulled them down, discarding them and his socks into the shadows.

Her gaze rose to meet his, a wicked smile gracing her lips. “Last chance to back down before I get my mouth all over you.”

“Just remember, sweetheart. It’s my turn next.”

She shrugged as if she wasn’t concerned about his
turn
and wrapped her fingers around his shorts. She held his stare as she slowly lowered his briefs, breaking eye contact to watch his shaft emerge into the candlelight. Blake followed her line of sight, clenching his jaw as his cock bobbed forward, the tip shiny with pre-cum. Payton paused, holding his shorts at the top of his thighs as she stared at his shaft, her tongue darting out to moisten her lips again.

She looked up at him, raising one eyebrow in an unspoken question. He sucked in a ragged breath, not sure how long he could last if she wrapped her lips around his cock. He forced down a swallow, nearly choking when she blew a warm breath across the crown, making his shaft jerk up in response.

“Payton. Sweetheart. While I can’t imagine anything hotter than those luscious lips of yours wrapped around my cock, I’m not sure…”

His voice cracked as she leaned forward and swirled her tongue across the tip, licking up the fluid that had leaked out.

“Mmm.” She glanced up at him, winking before sliding her mouth over the head and taking him deep to the back of her throat.

Fire burned a path down his spine, culminating in his balls as she paused with him lodged inside before easing up, keeping just the head inside her hot mouth. A pass of her tongue had him fisting the sleeping bag, his eyes threatening to roll back in his head. She stopped just long enough to shuck his briefs off the rest of the way before taking him deep again.

“Damn. You’re too hot, too fucking good at this.” He released one hand from the bag and threaded it through her hair, trying not to clamp too tight on the silky strands. But all he could think about was holding her head still as he fucked her mouth in long, steady strides.

Payton seemed oblivious to his need and descended again, slower than before. His shaft flared as it hit the back of her throat, and he cursed the way she made him wait, using her wicked tongue to her advantage as she retreated, licking his cock as if she was in complete control.

Blake growled and punched his hips forward, nudging her mouth. She looked up at him, vibrant blue eyes beneath long, black lashes. Her expression told him she knew exactly how close to the edge he was, and that she had no intentions of backing down.

He narrowed his eyes, nudging her mouth again. “Payton.”

She chuckled, but relented, opening wider and encouraging him to move of his own accord. He took her invitation and thrust forward, stopping himself before he made her gag. She swallowed with him deep inside, and he lost it.

“Damn.”

Blake closed his eyes, starting up the rhythm Payton had hinted at, driving deep then levering back. He didn’t pause like she had, too close to exploding to stop. Payton hummed, the throaty sound adding another layer of sensation. The tiny vibrations skirted along his shaft, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer.

He forced himself to open his eyes, pinned by the gleam in hers as she pleasured him. Her mouth tightened at the edges and she raised one hand to cover the length of him her mouth couldn’t reach while her other caressed his sac.

“Fuck, Payton. I’m going to come, sweetheart.”

She sucked harder, using her hand to counter his motion. He clenched his jaw then surrendered to the rush of heat blazing through his groin. Dots flashed across his vision as he thrust deep, spurting down the back of her throat.

Payton moaned and kept pumping him, draining every drop from his cock until he collapsed onto his elbows. Their gazes clashed along the length of his body, and he didn’t miss the way her mouth curled up slightly into a victorious smile. She’d more than bested him, and she knew it.

Blake breathed deep, trying to calm the pounding of his heart as he shook his head, a satisfied smile gracing his lips. “You are truly wicked. And I thought the ghost was dangerous.” He nodded at her. “I hope you enjoyed your success, because I don’t intend on stopping until you’ve screamed my name…repeatedly.”

Payton raised her eyebrow again, giving him that mischievous look as she dropped a kiss on the tip of his shaft before sitting back on her heels. “What if I’m not the screaming type?”

He chuckled, launching forward and taking her onto her back. Her eyes widened in surprise as a gasp feathered from her lips.

He leaned in, brushing his mouth across hers. “Don’t worry. By the time we’re finished, you will be.”

Chapter Five

Payton stared up at Blake, his eyes shadowed against the wavering candlelight, the skin over his cheekbones pulled taut as he smiled down at her, his expression more than confident. She hadn’t planned on sucking him dry, but when she’d pulled down his briefs, bobbing his cock free, every other thought had vanished like the mist.

The mist…

God, he’d single-handedly saved her life, and here he was worried she was still pining after Avery. Hell, Avery had never made her wet with want so badly she was sure she’d soaked clean through her panties. But one pass of Blake’s hand across her nipple and she’d nearly climaxed.

Blake hovered above her, his massive form filling her view. He was handsome and sexy, with a cowboy charm that clenched her heart. Damn, if she’d only known he’d had feelings for her before, she never would have agreed to keep up the ruse with Avery.

The thought sent a warm sensation spiraling through her chest, and she realized what it must have taken Blake to ride to her rescue. How hard it must have been for him to come here, knowing he was resurrecting old feelings but in the dark about hers. She smiled, intent on showing him she no intentions of letting this Smith boy go.

Blake’s gaze traveled the length of her body; the smile on his face telling her he appreciated the view. He lowered one hand to her shoulder as he traced a line down her body, the tip of his finger like a constant shock to her skin. Every inch he touched felt alive, and she couldn’t contain the moan that built in her chest.

Blake inhaled, tugging on the hem of her shirt when his hand reached her hips. “God, you’re beautiful. Like one of those sirens that lure sailors to their death.”

Her cheeks heated at the predatory look in his eyes. He wasn’t holding anything back.

She grinned at him. “I’d rather keep you alive, if it’s all the same.”

“I’d go willingly if it meant saving you.” His smile faltered. “Damn. When that thing took you…I’ve never truly been scared until that moment.”

Payton reached up and drew her thumb along his jaw. “I never doubted that you’d find a way inside. Never.”

His eyes misted for a second then the fire was back. “I like that idea…finding a way inside. And I think I know just where to start looking.”

His gaze never left hers as he lifted her shirt, gradually easing it over her head. He inhaled as the cotton covered her eyes, and she tensed, not sure if he was pleased or not. She blinked as the barrier rose above her head, her gaze clashing with his again. Heat and desire lit his face and she bit at her bottom lip, waiting for his next move.

His focus shifted to her chest and she held her breath. She’d forgotten he’d already opened her bra, baring her breasts as the cups hung to either side. His hands landed on her shoulders and slowly descended, brushing the straps clear before circling one of her nipples, lightly brushing across the tip.

Fire shot through Payton’s core, and she closed her eyes as her head fell backward, a husky yes filling the silence. His fingers tightened on her bud and she had to clench her thighs together to keep the fluttering feeling from sending her over the edge.

“So pretty, sweetheart. I could touch you like this all night.”

She moaned as he tweaked the other side, sending another spike roiling through her. But just as she arched her chest forward, he retreated. She huffed, preparing to open her eyes when a warm breath caressed her breast. She inhaled again, anticipating his mouth, when his tongue swiped across the tip.