Erotic Influence (5 page)

The urge to cover herself was nearly overwhelming. He
straightened and just stared for nearly a minute before unbuckling his own
jeans.

“You’re beautiful, Annie. I could stand here and stare at
you all day.”

Luckily he didn’t seem to want to just stare. She wouldn’t
be able to handle it. As it was she could barely stay still under his scrutiny.
“Thanks.”

“You’re very welcome.”

He kicked off his shoes and socks then pulled down his
jeans. Her breath caught at the sight of his black boxer briefs. They were
tented at the front with a prominent erection and caused a spike of fear to hit
her.

As if reading her thoughts, he leaned forward and rested one
warm palm on her thigh. “Remember, baby. Anytime you want to stop, just say so
and I stop. No matter what.”

She nodded and her fear subsided. Despite not knowing him
all that well, she trusted him. The sincerity in his gaze and voice easily won
her over. “Okay.”

She didn’t doubt him for a second. He smiled and eased her
further. “Okay.”

He stepped out of his jeans and picked them up to pull his
wallet from the back pocket. She gripped the blanket beneath her as he removed
a condom. Somehow, seeing the foil package made it all seem more real. She was
actually going to do this, have sex with Rick. He smiled at her again as he
dropped his jeans and placed the condom next to her leg. She tried to smile
back but then he pulled off his briefs. All thought left her head in a rush.

“Oh.”

He knelt on the bed and hovered over her, not touching, just
watching her for a moment. “We okay?”

She licked her suddenly dry lips and gave a nod. “Yeah.”

“Want me to stop?”

That made her laugh, though it came out like a croak. “We
haven’t even started yet.”

He grinned and seemed to relax, reclining beside her on the
bed. “Getting naked was step one.”

She giggled and the tension drained right out of her. His
easy smile and calm acceptance went a long way toward making her more
comfortable. She sighed and dared to run her hand through his hair. “What’s
step two?”

He placed his hand on her belly and her muscles quivered.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he started to rub.

“Step two is touch. I want to touch every inch of your
beautiful body. You can touch me too if you want.”

She almost forgot to breathe. “Oh yes. I definitely want to
touch.”

Her fingers were already buried in his hair, so that was
where she started. Fingertips down the side of his face, nails lightly biting
into his neck. A shiver ran through him as she caressed his shoulder. It gave
her a thrill so she did it again before sliding her palm down his chest. “I
really like touching you.”

He grinned and finally moved his hand from her stomach up to
her breasts. “And I like touching you.”

The air in her lungs froze as he covered one small peak with
his entire palm. He squeezed lightly then switched to the other breast.

“I know they’re small,” she whispered.

One thick brow went up as he looked down at her. “Maybe
compared to some, but I certainly don’t think they’re any less than perfect.”

That helped her breathe again. But then he lightly squeezed
one nipple between his thumb and pointer finger. Her breath stuttered again.
“Oh!”

She had dropped her hands onto the mattress without even
realizing it, but he didn’t seem to mind doing all the work. He watched her
face as if gauging her reaction to every touch.

“You like that?” he asked.

“Y-yes.”

He switched to the other nipple and gave it a slight pinch.
She cried out again and gripped the blankets. Fire raced through her veins as
he continued to rub, pinch and squeeze her breasts and nipples. Soon they were
so tight and sensitive it took no more than a light brush of his fingers to
make her gasp.

“Ready for step three?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He leaned forward, pressing the side of his warm body
against hers. The feel of his skin sent a tingle through her and she shivered.
He just grinned before licking first one nipple, then the next.

“T-taste?” she asked.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Oh…I like this one too.”

He chuckled again before suckling her breasts. Long minutes
were spent with him tasting her nipples. He kissed a path up and down her neck
and over her belly. Her eyes slipped closed as the sensation of his tongue and
teeth on her skin nearly overwhelmed her. It was almost too much.

He was leaning on one arm but his free hand didn’t remain
idle. He used it to tease her ribs and thighs. Though his fingers brushed over
the small thatch of hair between her legs he didn’t touch her most urgent need.
Soon she was writhing on the bed, her legs open to his exploration. He finally
took pity on her and cupped her in his palm.

“Oh god, Rick. Please.”

“Please what, baby?”

“Please…I don’t know. Touch me more.”

This time he didn’t laugh at her. He sat up and grabbed the
condom, quickly ripping into it and sliding it over his erection. Guilt
assailed her. She hadn’t even touched him everywhere she wanted.

He gently pressed her thighs open wider and ran his hands to
her hips. “Are you ready for me to make love to you, Annie?”

She gulped down her inherent fears and apprehension and gave
him a slow nod. She was more than ready.

“All right. Just remember I’ll stop if you need me to.”

She immediately shook her head.

He was sitting on his legs. He pulled her hips toward him
and gently probed her vagina with both thumbs. She whimpered and gripped the
blankets tighter. One thick digit slipped between her folds and she gasped. It
didn’t hurt but it was definitely an invasion she hadn’t felt in a very long
time. Her first and only sexual experience had occurred on her sixteenth
birthday. The only memorable thing about it was how quick and uncomfortable it
had been. She hadn’t even realized she hadn’t had an orgasm for weeks.

She highly doubted that would be a problem this time. As it
was Rick had almost made her come from kissing and kneading her breasts. Even
the sight of him spiked her temperature and made all her feminine parts tingle.
Now he probed her with the fingers of one hand and used the other to rub her
thighs. She widened her legs farther and looked between them to see his
penetration. It was a highly erotic sight.

“Like what you see?” he asked.

The hint of amusement in his voice didn’t bother her. “Yes.”

“Me too. You’re so fucking sexy, Annie. I can’t wait to be
inside you.”

Her pulse sped up with the thrusting of his fingers. She
moaned and relaxed into his ministrations. Within minutes she was thrusting her
hips up to meet his hand.

“I think you’re ready for me now.”

“Yes…please.”

He nodded and slowly removed his fingers. She was panting,
trying to take a full breath, when he lifted his hand to his mouth and sucked
on the finger that had been inside her. “Mmmm.”

“Oh god.”

“Yummy.”

He leaned over her and kissed her deeply, sharing the unique
taste of her arousal. It was intoxicating. She sucked his tongue into her mouth
and he groaned. Then she felt him probing her again, but both his hands were on
her hips. He worked his cock in slowly, inch by inch. He wasn’t huge, but it
had been so long she was damn near a virgin again. There was a slight sting as
he slid in, but soon she felt the press of his balls against her ass and he
groaned again. “God, you’re tight.”

“S-sorry.”

His breathless laugh vibrated through her. “Not a problem,
baby.”

Then he was moving. In and out, smooth and slow. He took his
time, allowing her body to adjust to his. She threw her arms around his neck
and held him close, reveling in his skin sliding against hers. The press of his
hard muscles against her softer flesh heightened her arousal and soon she was
on the precipice. Years of exploration in the shower had taught her what
climaxing felt like, but this was so much more.

“Oh god, Rick. I’m…I’m gonna come.”

“Yeah, give it to me. Come for me, Annie.”

He sped up the slightest bit and lifted one of her legs
higher, changing the angle just enough. She exploded with an orgasm so intense
she saw stars behind her closed eyelids. It seemed to go on forever as her
muscles clenched around him. He grunted and sped up more, slapping his hips
against hers with a sound that echoed around the quiet room. Their breaths were
loud and the bed was squeaking but she didn’t care. There was nothing more
wonderful than what they were doing and she wanted to watch him come.

“Almost…there.”

She pulled both knees up and clenched down as much as she
could. He kissed her hard before looking her in the eyes. “Annie…oh, Annie.”

Warmth filled her as he came. Then he collapsed on top of
her and his muscles slowly relaxed. She lowered her legs but kept her arms
around him. She never wanted to let him go, but knew that was a very dangerous
thought. If only she knew what he was thinking.

He’d died and gone to heaven. That was all Rick knew for
sure when he woke up a short time later. A glance at the blinds proved he
couldn’t have been out long. The shadows hadn’t moved very far. A sound had him
turning his head to see Annie sleeping peacefully beside him. She snored
lightly and a small smile played on her lips. He answered with a grin she
couldn’t see but he couldn’t help. She really was perfect.

He rolled onto his side to study her further. Her nose had a
small bump in the bridge, and a light spattering of freckles ran onto both
cheeks. Her long eyelashes were a shade darker than the gold of her hair. They
matched her thin brows. He wondered if she had her brows waxed but doubted it.
If Annie indulged in any feminine luxuries it didn’t show. Her short nails were
roughly cut and unpolished. He’d spied gloss or balm on her lips, but no real
makeup. Everything about her was natural and refreshing. Wes’ camera was going
to love her.

As if she felt his scrutiny, she stirred and rolled onto her
back. The blanket slipped off her breasts and a shaft of light illuminated one
nipple. Rick couldn’t possibly resist that type of invitation. He rubbed his
lips over it softly before pulling it into his mouth.

“Mmm…Rick?”

“Yeah?”

She smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. A thrill
went through him that there was no more hesitation on her part. He wanted her
to touch him always.

“What time is it?” she asked.

Though he hated to do it, he broke contact and sat up. A
quick rummage in his jeans found his phone. “It’s just after four.”

“Hmm.”

She stretched and he turned back to enjoy the view. Then her
stomach growled loudly. “Oh my god.”

He chuckled as she rolled into the fetal position, covering
her midsection with both hands as if to silence it.

“I guess you’re hungry?”

“Um…”

“I’d be more than happy to make you dinner.”

The look on her face said clearly she wanted to take him up
on his offer. But she rolled off the bed and started getting dressed without
answering.

“Annie?”

As soon as she was covered by a shirt and jeans she faced
him again. “I really shouldn’t. My dad might get home before we’re done.”

“We’ve got over an hour.”

“Yeah, but…”

He sighed as she scrambled for an excuse. Though he knew it
wasn’t her fault, frustration filled him. He grabbed his briefs and jeans and
pulled them on without another word. She watched him silently as he finished
dressing. Once his shirt was on he found his phone and wallet and shoved them back
into his pockets. Then he finally faced her again. She’d paled and her eyes
were moist. Concern had him closing the distance to her in two quick steps.
“Annie?”

“Please don’t be angry with me.”

He cupped her face and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth.
She immediately relaxed against him and he put an arm around her waist. “I’m
not mad.”

She lifted one brow in a classic look of disbelief.

“Maybe a little disappointed,” he admitted. “But not angry.
I promise.”

She nodded and lowered her head. “I’m sorry. I have to be
here when Dad gets home.”

“I know.”

And because he really did understand he fought the urge to
sigh impatiently. Instead he kissed her again then released her to put on his
shoes.

“Maybe…maybe tomorrow?”

The lack of conviction in her voice didn’t instill
confidence. It was his turn to lift an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I can try.”

He had sat on her bed to don his shoes. Now he rested his
elbows on his knees and looked at her for a moment. She fidgeted under his
scrutiny but held his gaze.

“What’s keeping you here, Annie? Is it just money? Or do you
like living here?”

Annie knew she was blushing but couldn’t help it. Even after
what they’d just shared, his intense gaze was hard to hold. She shrugged and
looked away. “Yeah…I guess.”

“What about Tammy? Are you sticking around here for her
too?”

She didn’t know if revealing her secret dreams and wishes
would be wise. It wasn’t that she had anything to hide. In fact it was quite
the opposite. She feared her humble aims were too small-town for someone like
him. All she really wanted to do was get a place of her own and help her sister
get into a good college. Nothing more, nothing less.

“Well, kinda both, I guess. I mean…I want to know she’ll be
okay when I leave.”

“She graduates this year, right?”

“Yeah.”

“So that’s just a couple of months away.”

“Yeah.”

He nodded and ran his hands over his face. She wanted to
touch him again, especially his short, dark hair. But she was afraid if she
started it would be too hard to stop. The risk of her dad showing up was all
too real.

“If I could help you get enough money to move out, would you
do it?”

Everything in her froze until it was almost too hard to
breathe. The thought of moving out had been a dream for so long it was almost a
fantasy, an abstract image in her most vivid dreams. “Uh…yeah?”

“Yeah?” He grinned. “I actually kind of need you, Annie. It
would be mutually beneficial. You help me out with a project and in return get
paid more than enough money to get into a decent apartment.”

“How much is enough?”

His brows shot up at her bold question and she almost took
it back. But then he rubbed his chin and seemed to think it over. “I usually
get anywhere from one to five thousand for a project. It just really depends on
how long it takes and the nature of the thing.”

“One…five…
thousand
?”

“Yeah, well, I’ve been doing it for a while and Wes is a
good friend of mine. I’m not sure what he would pay a new model.”

He was watching her so intently she tried not to react. But
as soon as she heard the word
model
she knew where the conversation was
going. Her gaze dropped to her breasts, and then the thin body below. “Uh…I’m
definitely not worth that much.”

He left the bed and closed the distance, tipping her chin up
with one finger. “The hell you aren’t.”

“Rick—”

“No, Annie. I’m not going to let you degrade yourself. I
think you’re beautiful, and so will Wes and his audience.”

“But his pictures…are they all like the one in your living
room?”

He nodded slowly, a slight frown on his face. “Yeah, baby.
They are. Is that a deal breaker? They’re completely anonymous though. He never
captures the model’s face.”

“Oh.”

He leaned in and her eyes slipped closed as he took over her
mouth. His soft lips warmed her from head to toe and she melted into him. Too
soon he was pulling back and the loss was like a bucket of ice water. She
opened her eyes to meet his gaze.

He rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip. “I really need you
for the next project. Wes is doing couples and I’d rather not touch anyone but
you.”

She gasped and grabbed his wrist. “You’d have to be with
someone else? Another woman?”

“Yes. But I don’t want to. I know this might seem kind of
fast, Annie, but I want exclusivity with you. I haven’t had a steady girlfriend
in over a year so you don’t have to worry about any exes coming around. I just
want to be with you.”

The shock on her face was almost comical, but he held his
amusement in check. He hated lying, even the slightest bit. But really, he was
barely stretching the truth at all. The facts were Wes did need couples for his
next assignment. Rick hadn’t even been on his radar for that project until the
phone call. Still, Rick was one of Wes’ regular models. So if Wes needed him,
regardless of the assignment, Rick planned to be there for him. Now he just had
to convince Annie to get involved too.

As for the rest of his statement, he was being one hundred
percent on the level. He’d never cheated on a woman in his life. He sure as
hell wasn’t going to start now. And after what had just happened on her bed, he
considered Annie his. Now if she just wanted him too, then everything would
fall into place. “I’m being completely serious, Annie.”

She nodded but her eyes still held a hint of disbelief. “I
know. I trust you.”

“Good. I swear I’ll never intentionally hurt you.”

He kissed her again for good measure, though he was sure to
keep it quick and light. She was so addictive. Even the threat of her dad’s
eventual arrival didn’t mean a damn thing in comparison to one more touch.

This time she was the one to pull away. Though she did seem
as reluctant as he felt. She smiled at him and lit up the room, then she
stepped away. “It’s getting late.”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair as she turned to
open the door. He followed her to the living room. “Will you think about what I
said? We still have another week at least.”

She reached the front door and turned to face him. “Where
will he be taking the photos?”

“He has a studio but it’s in Houston. Usually he’s able to
drive out here and shoot in my house. I can ask. I’ve no idea what his schedule
is like for this one.”

She nodded and opened the front door. “Okay. Let me think
about it. I’m sure I can tell you in the next couple of days. I just…I just
need to think it over.”

He moved to her and took one last taste of her lips. Then he
kissed the tip of her nose and her forehead. It made her smile again. Her
earlier tension seemed to have disappeared.

“All right. Take what time you need. I’ll talk to Wes about
location and what kind of money you can expect, okay? And if it’s not something
you can do that’s okay. We’ll figure out a way to make this work. I need to sit
down and have a talk with your dad one way or another.”

She grabbed the front of his shirt and shook her head. “No.
That’s probably not a good idea.”

“Annie, I’m not going to keep our relationship a secret.
We’re both consenting adults. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be together.”

“I…I know.” She flattened her hands and smoothed out the
wrinkles she’d made in his shirt. “He just scares me sometimes.”

And that confession scared the hell out of him. He gripped
her arms gently and looked her in the eyes. “Has he ever physically hurt you?”
She shook her head vigorously and he relaxed the slightest bit. “Not even a
little?”

“When I was little he might have spanked me. If so, I really
don’t remember it. Now he just likes to yell a lot and drag me around by the
arm but that’s all. Sometimes he says stuff…threatens, you know?”

“Yeah, baby, I know. I’ve heard him from my living room.”
Her face reddened and he kissed her. “That’s nothing for you to be embarrassed
about. It just made me think badly of him, not you.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“He likes to yell at me ’cause I don’t argue back like Tammy
does. I just do whatever it takes to shut him up. I
hate
being yelled
at.”

“You don’t have to worry about me ever yelling at you.” He
pushed loose hair behind her ear and ran a finger down her cheek. He wanted to
kiss every single freckle, but the clock was slowly ticking. “I guess I should
go.”

She nodded and slowly ran her hands down his chest. “Yeah.
You should.”

With a sigh he finally stepped away. She opened the door and
he walked out. She followed him off the porch and to the end of the driveway. A
glance around proved no one else outside as far as the eye could see. He really
hadn’t worried too much about it at this hour.

“Do you work tomorrow?” he asked.

“Yeah. Just a few hours. They really cut my schedule down
after my dad raised hell last weekend.”

“Need a ride?”

“No. My dad’s supposed to be home. That’s why I’m able to go
in.”

Annoyance burned in his gut but he knew better than to say
anything. He would have to pick his battles carefully when it came to Henry,
but hopefully he would win the war. Sitting down with the man and letting him
know Rick planned to see Annie on a regular basis was a big step in the right
direction. He’d just have to figure out how to arrange it when Annie didn’t
want him even talking to her dad.

He slipped his hands into his pockets to keep from reaching
for her. Now that they were outside he had to be a lot more careful. “All right
then. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I’d like that.”

“I’m home all day. Come over any time.”

“All right…’night, Rick.”

“Good night, beautiful.”

He kissed the tip of his finger and pressed it to her lips
before crossing the street. He didn’t look back as he stepped into his house,
but before he closed the door he saw she was on her porch watching him. She
gave a small wave and he blew her a kiss. Her blush was easily visible from the
short distance.

* * * * *

Annie wrestled with the idea of posing nude for Rick’s
friend all evening. Her dad got home at half past seven with Tammy in tow.
Annie wanted to kick herself. She would have had plenty of time to eat with
Rick after all. But it was probably a good thing she hadn’t. By the time her
small family walked through the door she had cleaned the house, finished the
laundry and made dinner.

Neither of them asked about her day. Tammy talked
incessantly about her shift at the local diner and Henry didn’t say much at
all. Annie tried to smile in all the right places and pretend she was listening
to her sister, but thoughts of Rick were never far away. It had been one of the
best afternoons of her short life, and she knew no matter what else happened he
had changed her forever.

“What do you mean, yes?” Tammy asked in a high-pitched
shriek of disbelief.

Annie flinched and tried to focus her thoughts back on the
endless conversation. “Huh? What?”

“I said Jon got arrested and they’re saying he broke into
the gas station last night. Did you hear something about it?”