Taking Charge (Meet the McIntyres Book 1) Page 15

  “Uh, yeah. Why?”

  Another fit of hysterics cracked over her as she clutched her stomach. “Does he have long hair? A firefighter?”

  “Yeah.” I didn’t like where this was going.

  “He’s fucking hot!”

  Nope, didn’t expect that.

  “Payton,” I growled.

  “Come on, Beau. Lighten up, would you? It was all some harmless fun. He came in, danced, took his clothes off, rubbed up against us…”

  “He rubbed up against you?” I felt my spine stiffen. This was not okay with me. Yep, Connor being a stripper in his spare time shocked the shit out of me. Him shaking his ass for a room full of horny, drunk women…I didn’t understand it, but whatever. Him rubbing himself up against Payton—fuck no!

  “What are you going to do if I say yes?”

  The minx. She was baiting me. Trying to get me all riled up. If it hadn’t have been working so damn well, I would have been pissed off. As it was, I was pissed at myself. I had to get this conversation and the full-blown erection in my pants under control. The sooner the better.

  “Don’t start games you can’t finish.”

  “Oh, I can finish. Multiple times. Don’t you remember?”

  “What if I can’t?” Two can play at this game. She wants to taunt me, bring it.

  She sucked in a breath which only puffed out her boobs even more. If I didn’t know what was under that frumpy, black top it would have been easier to cool this game down. The problem was I did know. I knew exactly what she was hiding under there. I knew how good her boobs felt in my hands, how they tasted in my mouth, and I knew how to nibble on them and make her squeal.

  “Have you had enough?”

  “Huh? Enough what?”

  I’d be lying if I said throwing her off balance wasn’t the most fun I’d had in days. Weeks even. Probably since the last time I’d thrown her off balance. Literally. Now that—that was fun. Gesturing towards her half-finished meal, I didn’t miss the confused looks she threw between me and her plate. It was enough.

  Wiping my face with my napkin, I dumped it in a ball on the table before climbing to my feet. Without giving her a chance to protest, I grabbed her hand and dragged her after me. Barely a breath later we were back out on the deserted Main Street and I had her pinned against the brick wall.

  I didn’t hesitate. I couldn’t. I kissed her with everything I had. At first she seemed to hold back, but I wasn’t putting up with that bullshit. When a soft, almost inaudible moan escaped her pouty little lips, I snaked my tongue inside and took control. It was hot and hard and full of passion. I ground my erection into her, leaving no doubt in her mind how hot I was for her. Only her.

  When her hands found my chest, she pushed back a little, creating space between us. I didn’t like it. In fact, I fucking hated it.

  “Not here,” she panted.

  Suddenly I knew what she meant. She wasn’t saying no. She was saying yes. We were moving this party somewhere else. Instead of being a gentleman, which at this point there was absolutely no point pretending I was, I crowded her once again, this time my hands finding her plump ass and lifting her off her feet. I felt her hesitate. She stiffened in my arms only momentarily though. When her legs were wrapped around my waist, I couldn’t hold back the groan.

  “Hang on tight, sweetheart.”

  Instead of answering, she crushed her boobs against my chest and pressed herself against the growing bulge in my jeans. The way she was rubbing up against me, we were going to be damn lucky if we fell through the door before she plummeted over the edge, taking me with her.

  We were halfway down the street when I felt her warm, wet lips clamp down on the pulse point on my neck and suck. She was going to leave a mark, and I’d be fucked if I didn’t want her to. The sexy noises escaping her as she licked and kissed and nibbled her way along my neck and my ear almost had me coming in my pants like a fucking fifteen-year-old.

  “Keys,” I gasped as her teeth scraped along the ridge of my ear.

  “Pocket.” Reluctantly I slid her down my body until her feet hit the concrete, before spinning her in my arms, crushing her against the door of her bakery. There was no way we were making it up to her apartment. The bakery floor was as far as we were going to get.

  She fumbled, trying to get the key in the lock, something I was definitely not helping with as I rubbed my throbbing erection into her ass and tangled my fingers in her hair.

  “You’re making this hard,” she whined as she tried for a third time to get the key in the lock.

  “No, Payton. You’re making this hard,” I growled, rubbing against her again, my cock weeping. It was begging for release. I was sure if I had to wait a minute longer I was going to have zipper indentations.

  Thankfully the door unlocked and Payton pushed it open, causing us to stumble through. I was on her the moment we were inside. Backing her up, I kicked the door shut with my boot and I prowled towards her. I wasn’t exactly proud of my behaviour right now, but I couldn’t stop. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t.

  “Wh-what do you want from me?”

  She sounded nervous. We hadn’t bothered to turn on the lights, so we were standing in the shadows. I wanted to see her face, but she hid it behind a veil of hair. Something wasn’t right. The other night, liquid courage had made her brave. Don’t get me wrong, she knew exactly what she was doing—I’m not that much of an asshole—but the shots had given her the voice to tell me what she wanted. In explicit detail.

  Pushing away her hair, I cupped her face in my hands and slowed everything down. The street lights were filtering in enough light that I could see her, and for the first time I didn’t just see her as hot, although she was sexy as fuck, but she was also beautiful. I don’t know if it was the secrets she’d shared with me earlier, or the anxious way her eyes darted about, looking everywhere but at me, there was definitely something though. Something more than one night. Or two in our case. I just had to convince her of that.

  “I. Don’t. Want. Anything. From. You. Payton. I. Just. Want. You.” Every word was punctuated with kisses to her neck.

  As much as she tried to resist, when she shivered and rubbed herself up against me, I knew I’d won. At least this round. I’d fight the war later.

  “Kitchen! Now!”

  She moved too slowly for my liking. Scooping her up, I tossed her over my shoulder in a fireman’s carry and marched her towards the back. When she squealed and protested, I smacked her ass. She seemed to like that. From the breathy moan she let out to the way she tried to rub her thighs together, she was giving off all sorts of signals. This woman was going to be the death of me. But oh, what a way to go.

  I felt the vibration in my pocket seconds before I heard the ringing of my phone. I didn’t care who it was right now. Nothing was more important than the woman in my arms. Setting her down on the stainless bench, I reached for the hem of her jumper and pulled it over her head. I didn’t have the patience for romance or taking things slow. Slow would be later. Round one would be quick and dirty.

  Payton seemed to be on the same page. With her eyes locked with mine, she reached behind her, unclipping her simple white cotton bra and letting it slide from her arms. I liked lacy lingerie as much as the next guy, but there was something innocently sexy about a simple white bra. I didn’t have time to think about it, though. Those boobs, the ones my hands had been itching to touch for weeks, were staring me in the face, her hard pointed nipples begging for my tongue. And who was I to disappoint?

  Dragging my own shirt over my head, I threw it away, not caring where it landed before I latched on to one of the delicious beauties. Payton threw her head back recklessly and let out the sweetest fucking sound I’d ever heard. She mewled my name. I was a cocky prick sometimes, and I’d had more than my fair share of women, but seeing Payton writhing around, rubbing her legs together, trying to get the friction she craved, moaning my name while I feasted on her tits, was almost too much. I was barely holdi
ng back.

  Still sucking, I reached down and unbuckled my belt, popped the button, and lowered the zipper. My cock needed space and it needed it now. Payton surprised the shit out of me when she hooked her feet in the top of my jeans and pushed them down my legs, leaving them bunched around my ankles. When her talented fingers found their way into my boxer shorts, I lost it. When her thumb passed over my crown, spreading the bead of pre-cum down my length, I couldn’t stand it. Shuffling back the best I could, I yanked her off the table before unzipping her jeans. In one swift move, one that impressed even me, I pulled her jeans and panties down, then she kicked them off.

  After one scorching hot kiss, I spun her around and bent her over the stainless bench.

  “Ooh,” she said, startled.

  “What?” Suddenly I was worried I was too fast. Too rough.

  “Cold,” she explained as she flattened herself across the sterile bench. It wouldn’t be sterile for long.

  Slipping my hand between her thighs, I cupped her mound, trying to prepare her. I need not have bothered. Three quick passes and my fingers were soaked. Payton wanted this as much as I did.

  “Beau…” her voice was gravelly and full of want.

  I couldn’t wait. I plunged inside and held still. Payton let out the breath she’d been holding, and I couldn’t remember it ever feeling this good before.

  “More. I need more.”

  Pushing her ass back at me, I took that as my sign to get moving. Once I did, I couldn’t stop. She was warm and wet and as responsive as hell. But I wasn’t about to do this on my own. If I was getting off, so was she. Reaching around, I pressed my thumb to her clit and Payton’s head came off the counter. Grabbing my wrist, she dug my hand in harder and directed me to the exact spot she wanted it. I didn’t care. I’d give her whatever she wanted right now.

  I heard a phone ring from somewhere, but paid it no attention.

  With my free hand, I reached around and squeezed her luscious tit. That was all it took. Her muscles contracted around me, squeezing the orgasm from my body. Clamping down, she didn’t let go. Standing there, panting, Payton flopped back against me, allowing me to hold her steady.

  When she turned her head and caught my eye, I read the uncertainty there. I did the only thing I could think of. I kissed her. It wasn’t a hot, needy kiss like before. This was something different. Something more. It scared the crap out of me.

  “You should get that,” she said sadly as she broke free of my grip stepping away.

  I felt cold. Exposed.

  “What?”

  “Your phone. It keeps ringing. Someone obviously wants you.”

  And I want you. The words were on the tip of my tongue. Thankfully that’s where they stayed. Payton looked skittish enough right now without hearing the thoughts in my crazy ass mind.

  Yanking my pants back up, I tucked myself in before fishing the offending phone from my pocket. As soon as I saw the screen, I wished I’d left it there. Eight missed calls and half a dozen unanswered text messages. All from Gage.

  My stomach turned over anxiously. Gage wasn’t one to hound me. I heard from him so rarely, I often wondered if he even owned a phone. Obviously he did. And obviously he needed me. Turning around, I caught just a brief glimpse of Payton’s delectable ass before her jeans hid it from view again. What I wouldn’t give to be those jeans.

  When my phone rang again, I saw Gage’s number and frowned. I had this feeling in the pit of my stomach that nothing good was coming. Payton offered me a weak smile but said nothing.

  I accepted the call.

  “Gage.” I didn’t bother trying to mask the annoyance in my voice.

  “Where the fuck are you?”

  “None of your damn business.” Screw him. I didn’t even get a hello.

  “You need to get home now.”

  “No!”

  “Beau.” He huffed, all the fight going out of him. “Please, just get home as quick as you can.”

  I glanced over at Payton. She had her arms folded across her chest while she nibbled on her bottom lip. Tucked into her pocket, I spotted her panties, while her bra remained on the counter behind her. She’d gotten dressed in a hurry, now she was standing there, eyeing my every move commando. My damn dick hardened at the thought.

  “What’s the big deal?”

  For a long moment he said nothing. In fact he didn’t make a damn sound. The gnawing, sick feeling in the pit of my stomach intensified.

  “Beau, Mum’s home.”

  I watched Beau on the phone with morbid fascination. Something was pissing him off and stressing him out, yet his eyes never left me. I knew the exact moment he figured out that when I’d dressed I’d forgone the underwear. His eyes darkened, his nostrils flared, and barely a breath later the bulge in his pants became more pronounced. Yep, like the sick freak I am, I was looking. I mean the guy had literally slipped out of me barely seconds earlier and now he was standing across the room eye fucking me. If I’d been wearing panties right now, they’d be soaked. As it was, my jumper was itching the crap out of my diamond pointed nipples. I had to get him out of here as soon as possible before I did something stupid. Well, something even more stupid, like inviting him upstairs for round two.

  His conversation was in murmured tones, but by the way his shoulders slumped, whoever it was on the other end of the line was getting to him. ‘Probably his wife’ flashed through my mind. Funny how ten minutes ago when I was grinding against him the thought of him being with someone else hadn’t even crossed my mind, yet now, now it was the first idea I had.

  He had to leave. The sooner the better.

  “What’s the big deal?” he asked irritably.

  Although I couldn’t hear the answer, I didn’t need to. His face paled as he stumbled backwards, grabbing the handle of the oven for support. He looked spooked. Like he’d seen a ghost. I wanted to go to him. Dive into his arms and offer him my strength, at least what little I had. I wanted to be the one to hold him close and reassure him that everything would work out even though I had no idea what the problem was.

  I didn’t do anything.

  I remained exactly where I was.

  Frozen to the spot.

  My eyes, locked on his.

  My heart pounding in my chest.

  Blood rushed through my veins, screaming so loudly I could hear it.

  He ended the call and slipped the phone back in his pocket. I noticed his knuckles were white under the tension he was holding in his balled up fists.

  “Ev-everything okay?” I asked, surprised how squeaky my voice sounded. I knew I was nervous. That didn’t mean I wanted him to know that though.

  “Not really. I got to go.”

  “Oh okay.”

  I watched as he pulled on his shirt and ran his hands through his hair. Our gazes locked, neither seeming to want to be the first to break. I was so caught up in his dark, lust-filled eyes, I barely noticed him closing the gap between us. When he gripped my hips, I jumped at the contact.

  Beau didn’t say a word. And he didn’t ask permission. He just took what he wanted. Right now, he wanted my mouth. His kiss was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Hot, hard, and dominant. I’d be lying if I said I wanted it to end. When we broke apart, we were both panting, struggling for breath.

  “That was—”

  “Not the end,” he finished adamantly.

  It wasn’t what I was expecting him to say. Beau seemed to have this knack of knocking me off balance. Every. Single. Fucking. Time. The asshole.

  “Look, something’s come up at home and I have to get back. Can I see you tomorrow?”

  “I don’t think—”

  “See, Payton…” He tapped the tip of my nose. “That’s your problem. Right there. You think too much. You should just feel. What do you feel?”

  It took everything I have to hold back the answers that sprang to mind. I didn’t think ‘your erection digging into my stomach’ was an appropriate answer. Either was ‘wet
,’ ‘horny,’ or ‘ready.’ Instead of saying all the things on the tip of my tongue, all the things that were literally making me too sick to swallow, I offered him a sad smile and answered simply, “Goodnight, Beau,” before slipping out of the room, leaving him standing in my bakery kitchen alone. I’d come back and clean up later. Right now I needed a shower and some time to think.

  “Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuucccccccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkk!” he bellowed behind me, causing goosebumps to dot my skin.

  I froze where I stood. Part of me wanted to forget what my head was telling me was best. Run back in there and dive into his arms. I just couldn’t make my feet follow through. Instead I stood there like an idiot, with one foot out the back door, the other propping the door open.

  I could hear him puffing and panting. My heart was beating like a drum. My hands were sweaty and gross. My throat was scratchy and dry. Completely stationary, I saw him cross the room and stomp out the front door. From my almost hidden spot, I could feel the rage radiating off him. I stood there until he climbed in his ute, spun the wheels, and took off into the night. I’d never felt worse. Feeling like my heart had just been destroyed, a heart I wasn’t even sure I had anymore, I climbed the stairs with heavy legs and an even heavier mind. Desperately, I needed sleep to be my friend tonight. The only problem was, I wasn’t delusional enough to imagine it would be.

  Once I was alone, I had a quick shower, washing Beau’s scent from my body. After dressing in my favourite pyjamas, I grabbed the block of chocolate and settled myself on the lounge. With my Kindle in one hand and chocolate in the other, I tried to bury my feelings. After the disaster with Hayden, I shouldn’t be having any feelings. Like ever again. That was the promise I made to myself. The walls around my heart were impenetrable and they were that way for a reason. A very good reason. It was going to take more than some amazingly good, sweaty sex to get those walls to crumble.

  It took me until the bottle was finished before I realised I’d been reading the same couple of pages for almost an hour. It was ridiculous. I couldn’t string a coherent thought together. I wanted someone to talk to. Someone who’d understand. Maybe it was the wine pumping liquid courage into my veins. Courage I needed to make the first move, or maybe it was simply time. Picking up my phone, I held my breath as I tapped out the message.