PerpetualPleasure (11 page)

Saying nothing, she moved to run her tongue along his shaft
all the way down to his balls. He had shaved, his groin smooth save for a trim
patch above his cock, and that was all the invitation she needed.

Lucie thrust his shaft against his belly and went for his
sac. He was so high and tight she could hardly get him in her mouth. It didn’t
stop her from trying. Pressing her lips tight against his balls she toyed with
him, rolling her tongue from side to side, up and down, round and round.

“Ah fuck…ah fuck…” he chanted, gripping her head tighter.
Lucie didn’t mind. It didn’t hurt, only proved she had him where she wanted
him, almost there and ready to blast. Ripples ran along the shaft, his hoarse
cries filling the room. His cock started pulsing, pumping forth his release.
Lucie eased away to guide him back into her mouth.

“Make me come, baby. Make me come, just like that, oh fuck…”

Lucie clenched her knees together, wanting to touch herself,
needing to focus on him instead. She hadn’t allowed him to rob her of this. She
wouldn’t rob him of her full attention.

His cock throbbed violently. Lucie gave the spasming shaft
one last tug with her lips and then he was coming, his seed spilling into her
mouth as his big body convulsed before her. The first shot was hard, blasting
against the back of her throat hot and rich. She swallowed greedily, taking
each wave he gave without reserve, savoring his release.

His cries turned into groans as she eased both the frantic
rhythm and her grip on him. The groans gradually turned to gasps as she
languidly licked the last remnants of his release from the tip of the silky
knob, rolling the savory droplets into her mouth. Her tongue tingled with it
but it wasn’t unpleasant, only unexpected.

Replete, Mac caressed her hair. He jerked every time her
tongue slid over his shaft, his cock twitching at every kiss she pressed on
him. Lucie finished off with a long, lingering suck of the crown and a
self-satisfied lick of her lips before saying, “I had no idea a man could taste
that good. Thanks for accommodating me so graciously.”

Mac’s hand fell to his side, his head slumping forward as
his eyes closed. “Graciously, my ass. I came down your throat like a fucking
cannon. Nothing gracious about that.”

She licked her lips, pursed them together and gave them a
firm resounding smack. “And I absolutely loved it.”

Lucie gave the shaft, now marginally softened, one final kiss,
let go and settled back in the tub. MacCale plopped down, thoroughly splashing
the floor tiles.

Lucie laughed in delight. He was spent all right, and it
satisfied her on a level much deeper than she cared to look into.

He shook his head, a smile warming his tight expression. “I
hope you still feel that way tomorrow.”

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s not as if you had to force me.”

“You’re tipsy.”

“I’m horny.”

“Boohoo to you because that’s all we’re doing until you’re
one-hundred-percent sober.”

“But what if I want you to reciprocate? What you said at the
Games. Was that a fib?”

“No.”

“So you’ll do it? Finger me silly, lick my pussy like a
lollipop? How do you lick a pussy like a lollipop? Show me.” She extended her
hand to touch him, tempt him.

Mac gripped her wrist and leaned forward to kiss her
fingers. “Oh I will, baby. In the morning, okay? First, sleep.”

“I don’t sleep with men. In the literal sense. House rules.”

“You already broke that one. With me. Might as well do it
again. If you want me to do all the things I said I want to do to you. How does
that sound?” The tip of her index finger disappeared into his mouth. His tongue
was rough on the soft pad, the gentle suckling motion sending bolts of
sensation through every nerve and fiber.

“Sounds like blackmail,” she breathed out.

He tugged at her finger, taking it deeper into his mouth.
She could feel the smooth suction down to her womb. “Well, what’s it gonna be?”
Her clit screamed for contact, for his mouth. “If you want it, you need to give
me something in return.” He nibbled at the sensitive tips, gripped a pad
between his teeth and held her still for a long, leisurely lick before plucking
the digit into his mouth again. Mimicking her moves on his cock, he sucked
hard, harder.

Holy hell—

He released her hand and leaned back. “A night in my arms.
It’s not as if it would kill you. It didn’t the last time.”

No, she’d only been hurting like hell ever since. She’d hurt
even worse if she didn’t have him. All of him. Right now.

“I can do it, you know,” she said. “Make you want me. How
long do you think you’ll last before you absolutely have to fuck me? And I
don’t mean my mouth. I mean my pussy. Fuck me deep and hard in my wet, waiting
pussy—”

Before she could finish the sentence he was on her, water
splashing all over again as he smashed his mouth on hers. “Shut up,” he
groaned, grinding his body against the length of hers. “Shut up, shut up, shut
up.”

“You want me.” More than anything, it was a plea.

“So much,” he grated, his hot breath mingling with hers.

“Say it.” A desperate plea.

“You know I do. I want you so bad I fucking hurt with it and
you damn well know it.”

“Then take me,” she begged, not caring about how needy she
sounded. “Fuck me.” Like he had that first night. When he hadn’t given her a
choice, only pleasure. Unreserved, undiluted, mindless pleasure. She wanted to
feel that again. One more time. One last time.

“Do it. Take me.”
Love me.

No!

“No,” he ground out, slowly retreating.

No love, just sex. Just sex. Just the sex.

God, he was right. She needed to sober up because the drinks
had made her stupid along with tipsy.

“I can’t. Not tonight, baby. Tomorrow, okay?”

Fight didn’t grip Lucie, neither did flight. Another
altogether different feeling consumed her, a paralyzing helplessness closing in
on her throat and heart. He had already given her so much, and he kept on
giving. He had made her want to give in return, bask in his warmth and passion.

What she had tried to avoid like the plague for all her
existence now sat across from her, staring into her eyes, in her home, on her
territory, where she had invited him.

And all she could do was tremble in recognition of his power
and her defeat.

“Deal,” she heard herself saying.

“You won’t regret it, honey.”

She already did.

Chapter Seven

Not many things felt like the first time or took Lucie by
surprise, but waking up next to Mac the next morning went right into the unique
and unexpected category.

He squashed against her back, her hand resting on his thick
arm while his other hand caressed the skin on her hip.

“You up?” he whispered.

He certainly was, the hot length of his cock digging into
her butt.

She’d had him in her mouth. She had sucked him. Licked,
teased, tugged until he’d spiced her tongue and throat with his come.

Another first for her, one that had her pussy and belly
clenching in arousal.

“You
are
up,” he murmured. “Need to use the
bathroom?”

She shook her head, hair slipping to her face.

Mac smoothed back the runaway locks and massaged her scalp
gently. “How’s your head?”

“I wasn’t drunk, you know,” she snapped. Mac had gotten her
home safely. He’d looked after her and now she was chewing his ass for it.

Taking care to sound more docile Lucie said, “I’m fine.”

“Good to hear. I can’t think of a worse way to waste a day
than nursing a hangover.” Gathering her hair, he lifted the bundle above her
head, baring her neck for him. He tilted her chin up to expose her throat as
well and placed a damp kiss on her jaw.

Okay.
This was nice.

His fingers skimmed up and down her throat while his lips
caressed the side of her neck. He moved achingly slow, letting her savor every
sensual touch of his firm mouth on sensitive flesh as he kissed her ear to
shoulder and back.

Better than nice.

“You’re so lovely,” he whispered against her ear. He nipped
at the lobe with his lips, trailed the whirls with his tongue, his breath hot
on her damp skin. Lucie shivered. She was damn near panting in expectation of
his next move.

The backs of his fingers traced the curve of her breast and
dipped into her cleavage. “This is one of my favorite spots.” He trailed the
underside of the other globe with his fingertips, excruciatingly light. “The
skin is soft and so tender.” He cupped her gently, the mound disappearing into
his big palm. He held her for a moment as if weighing her in his hand. On a
satisfied hum, his hand returned between her breasts, his mouth returning to
her neck. He nibbled on her skin, light enough not to mark, hard enough she
could feel it all the way between her legs.

Lucie wanted to squirm. She did squirrel in his hold as his
palm brushed across one puckered nipple. He grazed the other, sending little
pulses of sensation running down her belly and straight into her pussy.

Oh god, he was barely touching her but every passing caress
amplified the tingling in her gut and cunt making her quiver uncontrollably.

“Like that, honey?” he whispered and placed a warm, long,
open-mouthed kiss on the junction of her neck and shoulder.

“Like teasing me, baby?” she gasped.

“No,” he breathed next to her ear. “I love it.” He gave both
nipples a tender pinch, his cock jutting and flexing against her bottom.

“Lift your leg for me.”

After a hesitant, breathless moment, Lucie lifted her leg to
rest on his, making room for him between her legs. “That’s it.”

He slid his shaft along the cleft of her ass for a moment.
He was hard, so hard and hot on her skin Lucie rocked her hips to meet him, to
force him closer still.

“Shh. Don’t move.” Adjusting his hips, he kissed her nape,
her crown. “Let me give it to you.”

It sounded wonderful, and really frustrating. He was taking
over again. Again, she had no strength or will to fight him. He didn’t need
force to make her to do his bidding. He only needed—

Hmm yes.
The supple tip of his cock pressed into her
thighs, the hot crown dipping between her legs. He ran one hand over her waist
and hip. “Keep your thighs together, okay? As tight as you can. This is going
to feel so good,” he crooned, guiding her leg. He pushed, the wide plane
gliding along her slit until the crest found her clit.

Lucie jerked, her hips twitching restlessly. His hand snaked
to her mound. Using his fingers, he spread her pussy lips as best as he could,
his cock burrowing deeper between her folds.

“God, you’re creamy, baby. I wish I could fuck you and lick
you at the same time. Damn!” He pulled back and immediately surged forward, the
thick column dragging along her wet lips and targeting her clit again.

Lucie’s back arched on a drawn-out groan, her ass bucking
against his crotch. His cock jerked between her legs, a moan escaping him as he
gripped her hip firmly,anchoring her to him.

“Tell me you still want this.” His voice was low, guttural.
He could be a terrible tease, but he wasn’t impervious. She was ready. So was
Mac. If only she could get him to loosen up his hold just so, just a little, so
she could tilt her hips. If she adjusted the angle, he wouldn’t torment her
clit, he would push right into her pussy where she wanted him.

“I still want you, Mac. You know I do. Very much.”

He kissed her hair. “I want you too, baby. Even more.” Finally
loosening his hold, he readjusted her leg over his to give him open access to
her pussy. Only to begin a series of easy thrusts between her thighs, his cock
gliding along her slick lips but careful not to enter her.

God, it was sweet. And so frustrating, Lucie squirmed.

“Patience,” he murmured.

“Not my strong suit,” she grumbled.

“Ah but you’re a spoiled one. Too used to getting what you
want when you want it with nothing more than a bat of your lashes and a sultry
smile. But you’re forgetting this isn’t the little league.”

“Oh it most certainly isn’t,” she groaned. “I can feel just
how big of a league this is.”

“Flattery won’t get you anywhere, either, baby,” he rasped,
his hips rolling against hers in the maddening pace he’d set. Every time the
tip of his cock brushed her clit the pleasure crested, only to recede when he
drew the length back.

“What does a girl have to do to get you to fuck her?” Lucie
wailed.

“Let’s see. A girl could start by letting me take her out
for breakfast. Then she could show me her favorite places around town. Explain
to me why the Pulaski monument stands in Monterey Square and not Pulaski
Square, why Nathanael Greene is buried in Johnson Square and not the one
actually named after him and so on. When it’s time for lunch she could let me
take her to Bonaventure for a picnic, maybe introduce me to Dr. Arnold. That
kind of thing.”

What? He couldn’t reopen negotiations now.

“We had a deal,” she reminded him.

He stopped moving, his cock buried between her legs and
resting firmly against her slit.

“What deal?”

“The deal where you give me hot sex in exchange for a night
of sleep in my bed.”

“Oh that deal.” He nibbled her jaw. “You should always read
the fine print.”

“The what?” She tried turning her head to try to see if he
was as serious as he sounded. Mac gripped her chin gently and pressed her cheek
back on his biceps.

“The fine print, honey. Where it says you let me take you
out for breakfast afterward. Give me a chance to get to know you better.”

He wasn’t joking. He was blackmailing her again. Tempting
her to step well beyond her comfort zone with his incredible body and the
promise of mind-blowing sex.

“I think you’re thinking of giving me that chance,” he said.
“I want that chance. I’m not afraid of who and what you are, baby, just
terrified of how fast you’ve gotten under my skin.”

Oh but she knew that feeling.

“And if brushing me off is what you’re thinking, you should
know I won’t go quietly and I don’t give up easily.”

It sounded like a warning, a demand and an ultimatum.

“You’re some kind of negotiator, aren’t you? A spin doctor.
Or a litigator. Some form of con man. Or…something.”

“Or something,” he said. “Actually, I’m a—”

“Don’t say it. I don’t wanna know.”

“Okay.” Sounding indignant, he froze. Long seconds passed,
his big body rigid before he melted against her as if on command.

His hand returned to her mound. One broad finger settled on
her clit.

“Well?” The tinge of annoyance was gone, replaced by heavy
seduction. He followed up by nudging the ultrasensitive knot of nerves with the
pad of his finger.

Oh god.

One word, one damn digit, and she was putty. As if she had
been born yesterday, not some two hundred and sixty years ago.

“You make it sound so…” She didn’t know what it was. She
couldn’t think straight while he held her, pleasured her, acted so damn caring.
She could take a pounding. But this, this—

“Uncomplicated? Natural? Right? It’s all that, Lucie, if you
want it to be. It’s what normal people do,” he explained.

“I’m not normal. I’m a freak.”

In a flash, Lucie found herself on her back and face-to-face
with Mac. The fire she’d heard in his voice blazed in his eyes, but it was more
than lust she saw in his expression. There was that anger again, the same
resentment she’d seen the night she had tried to play him, and something that
looked an awful lot like disappointment.

“Keep telling yourself that,” he said. “I bet you’ve been
talking yourself out of human emotions since the Lincoln presidency. You never
died but you’re hardly living either, buried alive in this mausoleum of yours.”

Lucie gasped. “How dare you.
How dare you
.
That is so unfair. I have no choice! Do you think that not a day goes by I
don’t wish I could turn back time and undo what I did the day I turned? I
should be dead and buried. That’s what and where I should be.”

“But you’re not,” he said. “You’re a living, breathing,
vibrant woman. Act like it. Lay it on me, Lucie, I can take it,” he demanded.

If only she could. How she wished she could.

With him.

“I can’t.” Her voice was a faint, resigned whisper. “I’m
sorry but I can’t.”

As if failing or refusing to understand, Mac shook his head.
“You want to,” he insisted.

“It makes no difference what I want.”

“Bullshit, Lucie.”

The anger was turning into hurt, she could feel it. She
could hear it in the tightness of his voice, sense it in the way he slowly drew
from her, away from her, to sit beside her on the bed. She could see it in his
eyes, the deep frown on his brow smoothing to a stare so full of sorrow and
dismay it broke her heart.

She had caused that look and it killed her. She had done
that to him and she hated herself for it. And now she would have to go the
distance and finish what she’d started. Put the mask back on, remember her role
and take him apart. “I told you all I wanted was sex.”

“And I told you I wanted more than that. I told you plain
and clear. So why am I here? What is this?
What am I?
”

“A momentary lapse of reason. A luxury I can’t afford.”

“Bull. Shit.
You
came on to me that night at Boyd’s.
You
invited me to Smoke and Mirrors. You brought me here, Lucie. Your home, your
sanctuary. You broke your one-time-only rule. You’ve tried to connect with me
at every turn, so as much as you’d probably like to, you do
not
call all
the shots in this relationship.”

“This is not a relationship!”

On a disgusted huff, Mac sprung from the bed to pace the
floor. “You don’t want this to mean anything.” He shot her a glance. “But it
already means something. Admit it.”

She couldn’t. She wouldn’t.

She had found no reason to hate him. But she could give him
plenty of reasons to despise her. “Do you have any idea how many men I’ve slept
with?”

Mac stopped and threw his hands in the air. “No. Do you?
Have you kept count? Put them all down in a little black book? ‘Dear Diary, Mr.
Number 499 had nice stamina but was a slim-dick. Dear Diary, celebrated my five
hundredth conquest with a long bath, champagne and cupcakes’.” His
impersonation would have been funny had his voice not been so tight.

“I don’t believe it doesn’t bother you.”

“Not for a minute does it bother me,” he said, his voice
more steady now. “They meant nothing to you. You don’t remember their names.
You don’t even remember their faces. But you’re going to remember mine, aren’t
you, baby? That’s what you’re afraid of. You’re afraid your body will remember
how I touched you, how good it felt. Because when I make love to you, you sure
as hell aren’t thinking of them. That’s why you’re so bent on pushing me away.”

Whoever Mac was, he saw right through her, Lucie thought. He
would make an awesome, infuriatingly insightful but seriously sexy and fun
partner. Hoping he understood she meant it, Lucie said, “You deserve someone
who’ll give you what you want and can take what you offer. Commitment, a
family, a future. I wish I could be that woman.”

“That makes two of us.”

Getting up from the bed, Lucie searched his eyes, snaring
his gaze in hers. How to make him understand? “I’m truly sorry I let things go
too far. I wish I’d never let it go this far.”

He let out a harsh breath. “That makes one of us. The fact
is you let it go this far. Because you want this as much as I do. You’re just
scared. You’re scared, that’s all. Believe me, I know all about scared. And I
know all about getting over it. I know enough for both of us, so trust me on
this, will you?”

Stepping up to him, Lucie went on tiptoes, took his face in
her hands and pressed a kiss on his lips. Mac didn’t kiss her back, only stared
at her as if anticipating what she would say next.

“I can’t, Mac,” she whispered.

“You can’t what?” he demanded. “You can get laid but you
can’t be loved? You’ll let me fuck you but you won’t let me love you?”

Lucie inhaled sharply. “How can you even use that word?”

“Because this is more than physical to me. It’s personal.
It’s been all along, Lucie. I warned you. Told you I’m not sated with snacking.
A little skin, some sex, nothing more, nothing serious. People say they don’t
have time for relationships. Well, I don’t have time for anything less, baby.
It’s just not fulfilling. A fuck’s all good and well. When your heart’s in it
too.”