He lay unmoving, panting, until at last with apparent reluctance he rolled off of her. He got up to dispose of the condom but returned seconds later, drawing her close so she could rest her head on his arm. Carla closed her eyes, enjoying the salty smell of Jackson’s skin, the heat of his body seeping into hers. Who would have guessed a snake breeder could be so hot in bed? With a stab of jealousy she realized it was probably because he’d had a lot of practice. But if that was the case, why had he been so concerned with coming too soon? Usually that only happened if it had been a long time since he last…
She propped herself up on her elbow, fixing her gaze on him. His eyes were half open, hooded, and his lips pressed tight as if he had all the problems of the world resting on his shoulders. Not a good look for a man she’d just had sex with.
He glanced over at her when he noticed she stared at him. “What?”
“Nothing, I—” Maybe she was off the mark. But no, she had a gut feeling she’d learned long ago to trust. “Have you…I mean, has it been a long time since you last…you know…had sex?”
He stiffened at her question. She’d touched a nerve. “Was there a problem?”
“God, no.” She rushed to explain. “It was amazing. I just—wait, don’t go.”
But he’d already slipped out of bed and pulled on his jeans. She longed for cover-up as well. She felt more naked and vulnerable now than when she’d stood without clothing before him while he was fully dressed. Likely sensing her discomfort, Jackson tossed her jeans and blouse onto her lap.
She dressed and sat up in bed, adjusting the pillows so she could prop herself against them. Jackson sat in a corner reading chair, his profile tense as he looked out the window. The stubborn thrust of his jaw and narrowed eyes betrayed his anger. His glasses were on the table beside the bed, so she knew he wasn’t really seeing whatever he was looking at. From outside the distant symphony of crickets, cicadas, bullfrogs, and birds did nothing to ease the strained silence.
“I don’t know what I said, but I didn’t mean—”
He waved a hand to stop her. “It’s not you. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“But then, why?”
At last he turned and looked at her, his expression firm. “There are a lot of things you don’t know about me, Carla, and I’d prefer to keep it that way. You’re only here for a month; let’s not complicate things.”
He was right; she knew it. So why did his words cut so deeply?
“I’m not going to deny I wanted you,” he continued. “From the minute I saw you.”
“You did?”
“Of course.”
She waited for him to say more but, as was the way with him, nothing further came. Still, knowing he hungered for her soothed the earlier hurt. “Oh.”
His brows knit, as if the answer was so obvious he couldn’t understand her confusion. “You seem surprised.”
“Well, sure I am.” She adjusted her position, looking straight at him. “You didn’t exactly come on to me like gangbusters, you know. So how’s a girl to tell?” To her surprise, he actually winced, as if she’d thrown him a punch. “I have my reasons,” he said quietly, expelling a weary sigh. “But you’re right. It’s been a long time since I last had sex. Two years, in fact.”
She managed just in time to keep her mouth from falling open. “Two years? Why?”
By the sharp intake of his breath, she knew she’d landed on one of those things he didn’t want to talk about.
When he kept silent she finally asked, “You’re not going to tell me?”
“No.”
His steadfast refusal to answer her questions cut deep, a painful incision dangerously close to her heart, but she also felt the slow burn of anger take hold.
“So where does that leave us?” She crossed her arms, shielding herself. “I’m just your play toy for the month? A friend with benefits?” Hurt took its place alongside the anger, simmering her blood like the toxic brew in a witch’s cauldron. She didn’t want it to, but couldn’t seem to stop it.
“I’m not laying any claims on you, Jackson, because you’re right. My time here is short, and then we’ll both go our separate ways. But sleeping together, even if it’s only for a short time, means something to me. It means respect, and it means trust. And you with all your secrets, blocking me out like you don’t trust me. Well,” she shrugged. “It makes me feel…used.”
“Don’t,” he said, eyes filling with compassion. “It’s not like that. You’re not just a quick lay for a month, Carla.”
“Then why—”
He shook his head. “I can’t talk about it. I wish I could. I wish I could give you what you’re asking for because the last thing I want is for you to get hurt. You’re smart, you’re beautiful. You even make me laugh, which doesn’t always come easy. And I’ll tell you this: I want you. I think about having you in my bed practically every damn minute of the day. I’ve wanted you since the minute I laid eyes on you. I’ve tried like hell to resist it, believe me, but I just can’t anymore.”
He let out a frustrated breath of air. “Mon Dieu, Carla, I want you again now. I haven’t been interested in a woman for a long time, but you’re turning me into a hormone-raging sex maniac.”
Even as he spoke, she could see the rise in his jeans. Her anger began to fade. There was a raw honesty about Jackson, making him different from other men. And he was sexy as hell, no doubt about it. Despite her earlier frustration, she could feel her body readying itself for him again. Her nipples hardened, yearning for his touch. She liked what he said about wanting her. She wanted him, too.
She scooted off the bed and walked toward him. Slowly. Crossing her arms in front of her, she grabbed her blouse, lifting it up and off as she walked, letting her breasts swing free as she neared him. His chest rose and fell with ragged breaths as his hands gripped the arms of his chair. He licked his lips as she approached, as if readying himself for a treat.
She stopped before him and slowly undid her jeans, pushing them down her legs and then kicking them away, teasing him like a stripper. Naked, powerful, she knelt down before him and stroked his bulge. He groaned.
“I need to finish,” he breathed, “what I was telling you.”
“So go ahead.” She continued to caress him with her left hand while her right hand reached out and undid the top button on his jeans, then inch by inch pulled the zipper down.
“Lift your hips,” she commanded softly, and she slid his jeans down as he obeyed. He hadn’t bothered with his underwear when he’d put his clothes back on, and now his cock sprung free.
“As long as you’re here.” He groaned as she licked the tip of his cock, swirling her tongue around it. “Mon Dieu…”
She looked up just for a moment. “You were saying?”
“I…” She’d distracted him so badly he didn’t seem to remember. For a moment he closed his eyes and gave himself up to her torture, small moans of pleasure rumbling in his throat. But then he refocused and looked down at her.
“As long as you’re here,” he gasped, “I want you. A lot. I understand if sex alone, without a real relationship, won’t work for you. But…ahh.”
Her lips traveled down the stiffened shaft. She cupped his balls with her hand and gently stroked them.
“I can’t think…”
“You don’t need to think.” She took her lips away from his cock but continued to caress him with her hand. She looked up at him once more as she stroked. “I’d like to know more about you, but I respect how you feel.”
Her hand slid up and down his length with tantalizing strokes. His eyes turned coal black as he burned with desire for her. “So as long as I’m here,” she continued, “and if you want me… I’m not about to argue.”
She used her tongue like a paintbrush, teasing the head of his cock with small strokes, pulling back as he arched his hips in an attempt to bury himself in the hot, wet cavern of her mouth. He uttered a low groan as his eyes fluttered closed.
“Please,” he whispered. “More.”
She loved hearing him beg, knowing she was the one he wanted. Deciding to end his torment she acquiesced, filling her mouth with his hard shaft, swirling her tongue along his length.
“Oh, babe, yes. Just like that.”
Jackson slid back in the chair, bringing his hips forward. He wound his fingers through her hair, caressing her head, cheeks, and even the whorl of her ears as she pleasured him. His tortured groans filled the room. She relaxed and took him deeper as her fingers gently caressed his balls.
“Mon Dieu, Carla,” he panted. He leaned forward so with one hand he could tease her nipples, the other still tangled in her hair. She loved his soft pinches and she hummed appreciation low in her throat. His balls tightened and she knew he was close. She hollowed her cheeks, increasing the suction, wanting to give him the orgasm of his life.
But then he reached forward and brought his hands beneath her arms, lifting her to her feet. As he did so, he sat up so his face was level with her stomach. He reached a hand behind the small of her back and pulled her forward so he could kiss her stomach. With his hands he caressed her ass, his palms gliding over the smooth skin. He licked a moist trail along her stomach while he slipped his hands between her legs, caressing her thighs before reaching up to finger her pussy.
“You’re so wet,” he murmured, teasing the engorged bud of her clit with the tip of his finger, slick from her juices. He stroked, softly at first, then quicker as she began to rock against him. His feet lightly kicked at her legs.
“Wider.”
She obeyed at once, excited by the dominance of his command. As soon as she did so, Jackson immediately plunged three fingers inside her slick pussy, possessing her.
She burned so hot for him, wanting him more fiercely than before. Her legs shook and she placed her arms atop his shoulders to steady herself. He continued to stroke, sliding in and out, and she ground against his fingers as he brought her closer to release. Her eyes squeezed shut as she spiraled toward climax.
Then, just as she teetered on letting go, he pulled his fingers out. Her eyes popped open and she gasped with frustration. But as she looked down at him, the wicked gleam in his eyes told her she had nothing to worry about.
He nodded toward the nightstand and at once she knew what he wanted. She walked over and retrieved a second condom from the drawer.
“Put it on,” Jackson growled as she returned. “And let’s go for a ride.”