Simon Says (23 page)

Interesting. “Let me rephrase that, then. Have you had a climax with a man?”

“No.”

No hesitation there at all. “All right. But by yourself—”

“Do you want me to drown you, Simon?”

Because she couldn't see him, he grinned. Her harsh voice sounded both excited and embarrassed. “I'd rather you didn't.”

“Then stop trying to embarrass me.”

“Okay.” He flicked his thumbs over her. “Do you like this?”

She nodded.

“What about this?” Holding the weight of her breasts in his hands, he compressed her nipples with his thumbs.

“Yes.”

“You have a pretty belly.”

She cursed.

Simon said, “I'm going to put my hand inside your panties.”

Her shoulders tensed. “You don't need permission, damn it.”

“I wasn't asking, just letting you know.” Because he could tell it heightened her arousal for him to talk to her, and because he didn't want to startle her, or rush her in any way. “Let me know if you don't like it.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Simon felt the muscles in her thighs contract. Slowly, so slowly that it made him a little wild, too, he slipped his fingers into her panties. This time he wasn't content just to touch her. He explored, parting her, sliding over her swollen lips, dipping his middle finger barely into her, then pressing in further.

“Oh, God.”

Near her ear, Simon whispered, “You feel so good. Hot and slick.” Making himself hot, he added in a growl, “I wish I could taste you.”

Her trembling increased, making Simon wonder.

“Has any man ever—”

“No.”

With his free arm, Simon hugged her. He could be first at something.
Would
be first. And it thrilled him. “We'll save that for another time, okay?”

She didn't bother to answer.

“Two hands, honey.” He kept his finger pressed in her as far as he could go, and with his other hand, he found her little clitoris. She was swollen, distended, and he groaned low in his throat, ready to come regardless of what he'd told her.

With ultimate care and experience, he slipped his fingertips over her, again and again, his rhythm steady and easy and light. At the same time, he moved inside her, felt every tightening of her inner muscles, each new rush of warmth that bathed his hand.

Putting his mouth to the side of her throat, Simon sucked at her sensitive skin to give her a hickey. As the sensations built, Dakota moaned, went first boneless and then so taut that her back arched and her feet pressed hard against the floor of the hot tub.

He stayed with her, encouraging her with small sounds, murmuring to her—and finally he felt her coming.

His heart expanded as she locked her teeth and clenched her muscles. Her hips moved against him. She groaned, guttural, earthy, real sounds that echoed on the still air around them.

Simon held her close and relished the moment more than any other that he could recall. More than his first win or when he'd gotten a championship belt or…anything.

As Dakota finally eased, resting limply in his hold, he turned her, cradling her on his lap and kissing her. She held on to him, snuggled in close, and damn, but it felt like trust. Bone-deep trust.

And so very much more.

T
EN
minutes later, Dakota was so still and silent, Simon wondered if she'd fallen asleep. He gave her a squeeze. “Hey. You okay, honey?”

“Yeah.” She slowly inhaled, stretched luxuriously. “I'm great.”

He liked the sound of that. “You didn't hurt your thigh, did you?”

“Nope.”

Simon tipped up her face and kissed her. She looked relaxed and as sated as he'd hoped. Smiling in satisfaction, he asked, “Do you want to go in for a nap?”

“I'm not sleepy. Just…sort of amazed and maybe a little self-conscious and kind of tingly all over.”

“Perfect.” He kissed her again. “You're totally, completely perfect.”

That had her snorting. “Yeah, right. Lack of nookie must've made you delirious.” She sat up and, to Simon's surprise, she straddled his lap again.

“What's this?”

Shrugging, she looked at his chin and said, “I'm wondering if there's something I can do for you.”

Sexy, strong, and generous to boot. His smile widened. “There are all kinds of things you can do for me. Later. After I get back from Vegas.”

“What about right now?”

“Right now, I'd like to talk.”

“You're serious?” She scowled at him, took in his expression, and accused, “You
are
.” She made a sound of disbelief. “Good grief, you are the most talkative man I've ever met.”

“Most men enjoy a little conversation, Dakota. It's not unheard of.”

“Really? Even when a near-naked woman is sitting on his lap?” She nodded. “I'm sure guys everywhere would agree with you. I mean, what else would a man have on his mind but some chitchat?”

She had a point. “This is a unique situation.”

“For me anyway. I've never been in a hot tub with a man. Never sat on a man's lap. Never…well, you know. That other stuff.”

“Come with a man?”

Tucking in her chin, she gave him a reproachful frown. “It didn't need clarification, Simon.”

“I think it did.” Locking his fingers behind the small of her back, Simon ensured she couldn't bolt away if she didn't like what he had to say. “There's something special going on here, and that gives me certain rights.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Spell it out for me.”

Simon took heart in the fact that she didn't move away. She sounded more curious than offended. “We both know it was probably Marvin who pushed you and attacked Barber.”

“I don't have any doubts.”

“Neither do I. And that's why I want you ready and able to defend yourself if it becomes necessary.” Simon knew he couldn't be with her 24/7. No man could. She was an independent woman who lived her life as she should—free and on her own terms.

He liked and admired that about her. But at the same time, he couldn't bear the thought of her being vulnerable to a man who'd already abused her.

She had skills, but she needed to improve in order to fend off an attack by someone like Marvin Dream.

Dakota leaned forward and kissed his chin. “I don't take chances, Simon. There's no reason for you to worry about me.”

“It's not about taking chances. If someone wants to get to you, he can. You can't live your life and always be protected. The very best defense is preparation. You need to be prepared.”

When she leaned away, that only afforded Simon a better view of her breasts beneath the wet, clinging T-shirt. “I'm not sure what it is you want.”

“You.” He wanted no mistakes about that. “I want you, Dakota. A dozen different ways. I want to be inside you when we're sitting like this, and I want you over me, riding me.”

“Simon.” Once again, her breathing hitched.

“And I want you under me, unafraid, with your legs around my waist and your face tight with pleasure.”

She bit her lip, and then nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

Simon held her face in his hands. “I want to know that you trust me and that some prick from your past no longer has a hold on your life.”

After letting out a shaky laugh, Dakota said, “Gee. That's the sweetest thing any man has ever said to me.”

Simon smiled with her. “I think the best way for us to make that happen is to move slowly, at least where sex is concerned. And yes, before you ask, I'll be fine. Contrary to schoolboy claims, I won't explode from unrequited lust or suffer painful lasting effects or any of that.”

“No blue balls?” she teased.

Simon shook his head. “I'll just want you more day to day, but I can handle it.” Hell, he'd wanted her from the moment he laid eyes on her. What would a little more patience hurt?

“Didn't you just say that guys in training are supposed to skip sex anyway?”

He snorted. “Yeah, right.” If she knew that Dean had told him to “have her and get it out of his system,” she might not understand. “In theory, I guess that's true. But the only men I know who skip sex are the ones who don't have an option either way. And then they're probably unloading on their own, so it doesn't matter.”

The most comical expression came over Dakota's face. She choked out, “Unloading?”

With a crooked grin, Simon said, “You get my meaning.”

“Yes, I do. And oh, the visuals it brings to mind…”

Laughing, Simon waggled his head and then drew her close for a teasing, smacking kiss. “Knock that off, woman. It's time to get serious.” He eased her against him so that her head again rested on his shoulder. “How long have you been divorced now?”

She shrugged. “A couple of years. I'm not exactly keeping count or anything.”

“And in that time, how often have you seen your ex?”

“Hmmm.” While she thought about it, Dakota toyed with his chest hair. “Not that often, really. I'd say he shows up two or three times a year. Occasionally more often.”

Just often enough that she couldn't relax and forget about him. “He's threatened you since the divorce?”

“Now that would depend on what you consider a threat. He says things, or looks at me a certain way, and I feel threatened, but you wouldn't.”

No, he wouldn't, Simon silently agreed, but then, he hadn't been raped.

Thinking it enraged him all over again. As Simon gently moved long tendrils of wet hair away from her face, his hand shook. “I already told you that I know you're smart.” He hugged her tight. “If you feel threatened, then I'm sure there's a good reason.” After pressing a kiss to her temple, he said, “Dakota…”

“I don't like that hesitation.”

His arms tightened even more, and he stopped waffling. “Would you mind too much if I asked a few friends to keep an eye on you?”

Surprised, she lifted up to look at him.

“Understand, Dakota. I could have done that without you even knowing. But you're an independent sort and I don't want to insult you in any way.”

She appeared thoughtful, but not offended, as she chewed that over. “If I'm staying in town—”

“You are.”

His quick insistence made her smile. Softly, she agreed. “I am.” In a stronger voice, she added, “Actually, now that you mention it, I'd appreciate some backup. Other than Barber, I'm not well acquainted with anyone in town, and I don't think I need to go running to the police. But it'd be reassuring to know someone had my back.”

Her sensibility shouldn't have surprised Simon, but it did. And the fact that she didn't consider herself well acquainted with Mallet reassured him, too. “You know, I think I expected you to curse me.”

“Bastard,” she whispered with a grin, so as not to disappoint him. Then she kissed him again.

Simon liked it a lot that she kept kissing him, touching him, and that she hadn't blown up at his suggestion that she could use some help. “I appreciate your cooperation.”

“The appreciation is mine. Just tell me who and where, and I'll make sure I'm not alone until I know for sure if Marvin is behind any of this.”

“You are the most amazing woman.”

“Uh-huh.” She rolled her eyes. “I am a rapidly fading woman. I need coffee and food, and I think you need to pack, so how about I get a cab to my truck and then I'll find that motel you suggested.”

Simon wasn't ready to say good-bye to her just yet. “I have a better idea. Give me fifteen minutes to change and pack and I'll take you to your truck, then the motel, and
then
I'll head to the airport.”

“You have time for all that?”

It'd be close, but Simon just nodded. “Yeah. I have time.” To get them on their way, he caught Dakota under the arms and lifted her to her feet. Her transparent clothes nearly caused him to choke. The woman was a warm, walking temptation.

Simon leaned forward to put one fast kiss on her belly. “This'll be the longest, most agonizing trip I've ever taken—and that's saying something, because I've traveled a lot.”

Dakota turned and stepped out of the hot tub, and that, too, was a unique experience guaranteed to haunt his dreams. “Fair warning, Simon.” Shivering at the cold air, she reached for a towel. “When you get back, I plan to molest you.”

Oh, God. The trip just got more excruciating. “You don't say.” He cleared his throat. “I'll look forward to it.”