Hands Off (8 page)

Oh, God
. She arched her back and threw her head back. Another crying moan ripped from her lips. Pleasure shocks skittered throughout her pelvis, up her belly, reaching her fingertips as she dug them into his scalp.

“Say it again, Naomi.” He held her down again.

Blood pulsed in her head and deep inside her core, building and building. She closed her eyes and nuzzled her nose to his cheek, inhaling his spicy aftershave. How much more until she crashed over the edge?

“Say it.”

“I love you, Jude.”

Again, his large hands lifted her bottom up and then down again, his cock arching brilliantly into her, skimming tightly against her pussy walls.

She cried out. More pressure built, just short of the crescendo she so craved. “Please, Jude, please.”

“Say it. Again and again. I want to hear your sweet voice. Tell me you’re mine.”

“I’m yours. Only yours.”

“You
are
mine.” He lifted her again, repeating the same maneuver, the same driving motion. But this time he didn’t stop. His powerful grip pulled her up and down while he worked his hips in rotating motions.

The bed jounced beneath them. The headboard butted against the wall. Her breasts bounced against his chest. She whimpered and Jude groaned.

Studying the way his hips moved, she was able to work with him, rolling her pelvis forward to match his movement. Heat stirred so low, compacting deep and deeper. Fast, fast, then slow. Hard, hard, then soft. The rhythm was a rising storm inside her body.

Her hands feathered down to clasp his shoulders, moist with sweat. She clung to him and concentrated on their dance. They had one goal in common.

“I love you,” she whispered against his ear, then smiled at the way he groaned. Hard to believe the power her words had over such an intoxicating man. So strong. Powerful. Brilliant. Kind. Generous. “I’ll love you forever.”

~ * ~

JUDE COULDN’T THINK straight. For years, he’d longed to hear those words from Naomi’s mouth. He should be celebrating. He should be dropping to his knee and asking her to marry him.

He should be doing something romantic and sappy and worthy of her love. Something more than he could give at the moment. Something other than ordering her to his bed and fucking her.

Yet all he could force himself to do was to take her. To claim her. The need was primal... and foolhardy. But he couldn’t stop.

He tuned in to her sounds and movements—the whimpers, moans and trembles—and played off them, never wanting to hear a cry of pleasure more in his life.

Her pussy was slick and so tight, squeezing him as he jutted his hips upward. Her juices trickled down his balls. Her fingers clenched his shoulders, digging in deeper.

So close. Break the code.

He loosened his grip on her ass, letting her move with him, but also letting his palms brush across her soft flesh. The need to possess every part of her twisted and grew. His fingers boldly swept into her crevice and lightly skimmed her anus. Once and then again when she half gasped, half moaned, but didn’t protest.

The lightest of touches seemed to be what she needed to lose herself in the moment. She halted her maddening movements and fell into him. Jude wrapped one arm around her to hold her to him while his other hand was free to continue his experiment.

His cock thrust up deep inside her as his fingers brushed over her anus. Lightly, then a firmer rubbing, then lightly again.

And she responded.

“Ah, ah... oh, God.” Her body, slippery with perspiration, quaked under his hold.

Yes.

He drove harder and faster, milking her orgasm. Her feminine cries spurted from her lips. Her body tensed. Her sweet pussy squeezed him. So tight.

She jerked against him. Her fingers dug into his shoulders.

He relished the sound of her uninhibited moans as they grew louder, frantic.

One last, shuddering whimper and then she was quiet. Spent and limp against him.

He held her and smiled to himself, pleased. He’d been so caught up in her response he’d forgotten his own.

But he could wait.

He lifted her, garnering more soft moans, then eased her onto her back against his pillows. He pulled from her body, instantly missing her warmth.

He spread light kisses over her lips and cheeks. There was so much more he wanted to do with her. So much more of her he wanted to claim. But somehow, he coerced himself into moving to the edge of the bed, leaving her. He had to.

“Jude? Where are you going?” Her voice was raspy. Damn sexy. And vulnerable.

“Don’t worry, angel. I’ll be right back.” He grabbed a pair of work-out shorts and tugged them on. A fierce determination he’d never felt before swelled in his chest.

His feet led him to the en suite bathroom first to rid of the condom, wash up and splash cool water on his face.

Clear your head, Jude. Don’t fuck this up.

He was doing this. Yes, nothing could stop him.

He dried his face on the towel before stepping back into the bedroom and heading toward the den.

“Jude?” she called again, sounding anxious. She probably thought he’d lost his mind... or worse.

But he couldn’t stop his feet from heading to his destination. He would explain soon. He only hoped he was making the right decision. And not scaring her away.

In his den, he strode to his safe and punched in the combo. His hand shook as he lifted the small box from the far corner. He knew right where he’d left it—his mind would never let him forget. Never.

But he’d once vowed to turn the bad memories into good. So far he’d accomplished more than he’d imagined. Only one thing was missing. All he needed to do was to believe he deserved that one precious thing.

“I deserve her,” he said aloud, realizing the person he pictured talking to wasn’t his mother, but Davis.

He shut the safe and propped himself against his desk, suddenly feeling dizzy. The lights of Denver glowed and dimly lit the room, casting shadows here and there.

“I’ll take care of her, Davis. I’ll do right by you.” He swallowed and winced at the pain caught in his throat. He hadn’t realized he’d needed to say these words until now.

“I love her, man. I’ve loved her for a long time and I don’t intend to ever stop.”

He paused, feeling like an idiot for waiting for some type of response. Of course he got none. Davis wasn’t going to stroll out of the dark shadows and punch him in the face. He wasn’t going to argue. He wasn’t going to do anything. He was gone.

And life had to continue without him.

“Good talk, man,” Jude said, repeating the words Davis always used after they’d resolved one of their heated debates.

Jude squeezed the box in his hand and shook his head.

Naomi. The only person he needed was Naomi.

And... shit. He’d been here too long, making her wait.

He pushed to his feet and headed toward his bedroom but stopped short when he saw her by his sofa, slipping her dress on.

~ * ~

SEVERAL MINUTES PASSED. Naomi couldn’t help but think the worst... or be hurt that Jude had made love to her and then simply left the room without explanation.

And it had been making love. Casual sex couldn’t possibly be that intense. Jude wouldn’t have insisted on hearing her say those words over and over. He wouldn’t have asked for love without loving her back. At least in some small way.

Would he?

No. Maybe?

She shook her head. In any case, his actions couldn’t be ignored, no matter that they didn’t make a bit of sense.

Annoyed and confused, she shoved the hem of her dress to her knees with so much force the stitching tore.

“Oh, no.” Blinking her burning eyes, she twirled around to pick up her heels.

And then she saw him.

Just standing there. Watching her. Shirtless still. Something clenched in one hand. She couldn’t seem to force herself to move her gaze up farther, afraid she’d see something in his eyes that gave away his true feelings.

“Naomi.” His voice was low, too low.

She bent to pick up her heels from the floor, then flipped her hair from her face, hoping to at least look unhurt. “I was wondering where you were,” she said while busying herself with slipping on one sandal, then the other.

“Look at me, Naomi.” He was closer now. A side-glance showed her he was moving in.

Only she wanted an explanation. Something. She stepped back, once and again. And again and again until he had her backed against the floor-to-ceiling window. All of Denver could look up and see her slinking into herself, a mountain of a man hovering over her.

“Jude, you can’t...” What? She couldn’t think with him this close.

He pressed into her and combed his hand into her hair, holding her face. Something dropped to the floor as he reached up with his other hand and tipped her chin up, forcing her to make eye contact.

“I won’t. I’m sorry I left you alone.” His expression surprised her. Warmth and tenderness radiated from his green eyes and exuded from every crinkle and tiny wrinkle on his face.

“You look... happy,” she said.

“You look shocked.” He chuckled—such a sweet sound. Then his lids lowered over his eyes and his expression transformed. “Also highly kissable.”

“Yeah?” All her frustration dissipated as she leaned into him, instantly craving his taste.

He dipped his head and took her mouth.

She parted her lips, flicking her tongue against his lips. Yep, she was easy. At least when it came to Jude.

He grinned against her mouth briefly before returning the favor, only with a raw passion. His tongue was thorough, skilled and hungry. Chemistry couldn’t define this strong attraction. Nothing could.

She kicked off her sandals and hitched her leg up his, trusting him to keep her balance stable.

Always trusting him.

Her hands ran up his chest, appreciating the dips and cords of his muscles. Higher, she gripped his powerful shoulders and held on. She felt him yanking his shorts off in quick jerks until they fell to the floor.

And then he lifted her, palming her ass and hoisting her up the window. She fully wrapped her legs around his hips, clenching her thighs to hold him close. Anyone with a cheap pair of binoculars could get an eyeful if they so wished.

But she couldn’t seem to give a damn as his cock found her entrance and pushed inside. She was wet and ready for him. For Jude. Only Jude.

“Naomi,” he murmured against her neck, licking her throat. Then sucking hard, more than likely marking her—as if he weren’t in his right mind.

She liked that she had the power to turn safe, reserved Jude into a passionate lover—the same man who’d undoubtedly regret and profusely apologize for giving her a hickey.

Encouraging him, she tilted her head, baring her skin. His lips skimmed her neckline to her shoulder, tasting and kissing.

At the same time, he jutted his pelvis upward, driving his shaft into her, grazing a new delicious area... so deep his balls brushed her ass.

Her five senses were alive and well.
 

“So much better than chocolate,” she murmured, her own mind fuzzy with lust.

“No chocolate. Just me.”
 

“Perfect.” To confirm, she went in for another kiss, not able to get enough of him.

Her head spun and her body buzzed. She’d barely noticed when they sank to the soft wool rug in a heap of eager need. Jude’s body covered hers as he drove deep inside of her.

Her legs entwined around his. She moaned as he shifted his hips forward again and again. His hand on her ass squeezed her flesh and lifted her to meet his thrusts.

She kissed his jaw, his chin, his lips, tasting his salty skin, ingesting all that was him. Her hands roamed over his broad back... over his puckered scars. Muscles bunched under her fingertips.

God, her core was on fire—her pussy full with his pounding cock and so wet her juices dripped down her crevice. The cadence built up a sweet pressure.

His groans vibrated in his chest, pressed up against her breasts. Her nipples beaded tight against his solid torso.

She arched up as the rush of climax crashed over her. The wave pulsed low and hard, rushing through her, quaking her to her toes. Her fingers dug into his back, her cries muted as she crushed her mouth to his shoulder.

“You... fuck... so...good,” came muffled from her lips.

“Ahh...” Jude drove in twice more.

Naomi studied him as his eyes rolled shut, his full lips pressed tight, and he shuddered, coming hard. The same wave seemed to roll over him, hot and thorough. Then his body slackened, his weight smoldering her body.

She didn’t know how the man managed to look sexy when he reached orgasm. But he did. She smiled and kissed his jaw, then his lips.

He returned the favor with a lazy grin and carefully rolled to his back, taking her with him.

Naomi laughed, her mind and body relaxed, deeply satiated. She cuddled up to him, loving how she fit in the crook of his arm.

Several silent minutes passed as they lay there, spreading soft, sweet kisses over each other.

“Naomi?”

“I’m still here,” she joked. She couldn’t help it. He made her giddy.

“I have something for you.” The serious tone to his voice sedated her. He moved her onto her side and reached to grab something.
 

Whatever he’d been holding earlier, she remembered. The thing that he’d dropped in the heat of the moment.

“What is—?” She started to speak, then lost her voice when she saw he held a small velvety black box... the kind that would normally hold a pair of earrings or a ring.

He propped up on one elbow and held the box with one hand, showing it to her.

A ring. Oh, wow.

“You’ve probably only heard awful things about my mother.”

His mother? Curiosity over the contents of the box dimmed as she leaned in closer. Jude rarely spoke of the woman who’d molded him into the man he was today. The box could wait.

“I want to know more about her,” she said.
About you.

“There were times when she wasn’t that bad. Times when she was trying to be a mom, trying to be sober.” He gripped the box. “She gave this to me during one of those times. She said it had belonged to my grandmother.”