Fast acting, p.13
Fast Acting, page 13
“I thought you liked it when I took control,” he said.
“A girl has needs.”
“Oh?”
The gleam in her eyes increased. “And sometimes she needs to be fickle.”
He suppressed a laugh. “Good to know. Too much predictability would get stale.”
Her hand skimmed over his close-cropped hair. “I love how you’re almost unflappable.”
He chuckled ruefully. “But not quite.”
“No. It’s the almost that makes it perfect.”
“Imperfections make something perfect? How is that?”
She shrugged one shoulder, her head cocking to the side. “A pleasingly asymmetrical feature. Like your dimple.” Her finger traced his cheek, then she pressed her lips to the spot where his cheek dented any time he smiled.
His eyelids slid closed. “I hated that thing as a kid,” he confessed.
“Why?” Her eyebrows drew together in what looked like genuine distress. “I love it.”
He sighed. “So did every old lady and every other kid’s mom at school events. I got teased mercilessly about it by the other kids.”
She scowled, a mock-fierce expression that made him want to laugh out loud. “Let me at those kids. I’ll make mincemeat out of 'em.”
He ran his hands under the loose, silky fabric of her top, her warm skin like satin under his fingers. “Down, killer. It was a long time ago. I’ve gotten over it.”
Her smile was almost feral. “They were just jealous because they knew it meant you were going to be such a sexy adult.”
“If I had to go through the bullying in order to get to this moment, it was all worth it.” He nuzzled the side of her neck, feeling her inhalation of pleasure arc through him, his dick throbbing in response. “God, I love how you respond to me.”
“I love that you make me respond. And that you respond to me.” She pulled his face to hers and kissed him until he couldn’t think straight, her lips pliant and her tongue sliding against his, drawing a shuddering sigh from him.
“What did you say last night? Naked in twenty seconds?” he asked.
“We might be down to ten now. I’m feeling very needy.”
“Your wish is my command.”
Chapter 16
Kathleen burst out laughing at the speed with which Russell tackled his belt.
“What? You said ten seconds.” He looked at her with a dawning smile.
“You take me very seriously.” Kathleen rolled her lips into her mouth, trying not to laugh.
“Very seriously and not at all.” He lifted a strand of her hair, letting it slide between his fingers.
“Probably the only reasonable way to react to me, to be honest. I’m mostly ridiculous.”
His hand cradled her jaw and he looked at her, one corner of his mouth quirked up. “I think you sell yourself short just a little.”
“Pre-emptive, deflecting humor.”
He skimmed his thumb over her lower lip, his eyes intent on her. “Also that.”
Kathleen swallowed. She wasn’t used to being seen the way Russell saw her. She was used to a few scenarios: playing a role professionally, being the comic relief for her friends, or being the vague disappointment of her family.
But she knew Russell didn’t do any of that. He wasn’t satisfied with the surface. He wanted more. He seemed to want her. Warts and all. She took a deep, shuddering breath.
“You okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’m just not sure I’ve ever met anybody like you.”
He huffed a short laugh. “I know I’ve never met anybody like you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought you wanted to get naked.”
“I do. But we have time. It’s not even dark.”
Russell’s eyes gleamed. “But that’s perfect. I like looking at you.”
Kathleen’s eyes swiveled to the ceiling. “It’s the twenty-first century. We have electricity. Light on command. What do you mean by you know you’ve never met anyone like me?”
“You have a laser-like focus when you want to, you know that?”
Kathleen shrugged. “I’m an actress. You were talking about me. Don’t you know we’re narcissists?”
His hand slid into her hair, tugging a little. “No. You’re not that.”
She pursed her lips. “Still waiting for my answer.”
His hands in her hair gentled, stroking. “It’s hard to describe. You’re so confident. And yet you care so much what your family thinks of you. You’re bold in bed. You didn’t blink when I asked you to sing. You’re a demon on the croquet court…”
She laughed. “And yet?”
“And yet you’re so…easy to talk to. Easy to get to know. I feel…comfortable with you. Even with all your intimidating swagger.”
Kathleen snorted. “Intimidating? Me?”
“Sure.”
“I don’t buy it.”
Russell licked his lips, his eyes scanning the ceiling. “Well…actress. Think of it from my perspective. As if I was a role you were going to play. Here I am, nerdy professor—”
“Ahem. Hot law professor.”
“Whatever. Total nerd. And here’s this gorgeous woman who has all these talents.”
“Singing, croquet, and…sex?”
His thumb skimmed over her lower lip again. “Hush. So much more. And she seems to think that I’m worth spending time with. Not just for a weekend. It’s pretty amazing stuff.”
Kathleen’s throat was thick with emotion. “You really think that?”
Russell nodded.
“And how do you think the supporting player feels to be promoted to leading lady?”
“What do you mean?” Russell asked.
“I’m…” Kathleen’s hand waved in the air. “Always the second banana. Or third. Always cast as the friend or the mom or…anything but the leading lady. That’s me. In my work and in my life.”
“Seriously?”
Kathleen nodded, her eyes clear and guileless. She really meant it. This was no false modesty.
Russell’s hand moved from her lips to the back of her head. “How is it that anyone looked at you and didn’t put you first?”
Her lips trembled. “I think you’re a little biased.”
“I think I’m damn lucky that the world is apparently populated by fools.”
“Shut up and kiss me.” That high color he had come to know so well was blazing in her cheeks again and he covered her mouth with his, seeking to convince her that every word he said was true. If he couldn’t convince her with his words, maybe she would believe his kisses. He slid his hands around her back and down to cup her butt, feeling her smile against his lips.
“Do you believe me now?” he asked.
“What was I not believing?” She gave him a heavy-lidded look. “I seem to have forgotten my own name.”
“Very funny.” He drew the hem of her top up over her torso, the slippery fabric bunching in his hands. She lifted her arms, letting him pull the garment off and drop it on a chair.
“Oh, we’re being tidy tonight?”
“Smartass.”
“That’s me.” She was wearing yet another lacy bra, this one a sage green, the cups barely covering her nipples, pushing her breasts up into inviting, delicious swells. His breath caught in his throat and he blinked when Kathleen laughed.
“Normally I would say my eyes are up here, but I guess that’s not the point just now, is it?”
“Have I called you a smartass recently?”
“Mere moments ago. It’s like a term of endearment by now.”
He bent and kissed the top of one breast, then the other. “Lovely, round, tempting smartass.”
“Well, now you’re just confused.” Kathleen’s joking tones had a husky rasp. “My ass is a completely different round area of my body.”
“I know exactly…” He traced the scalloped edge of the lace cup with a questing fingertip, pulling the fabric down so he could tease her nipple with lips and teeth, savoring her sharp inhalation in response. “…Where your body parts are. I’ve taken an inventory.”
“Oh.” Her voice was even breathier now as he fastened his lips on her nipple and sucked, dragging the bra cup even further down with one hand, stroking her other breast through the lace, savoring the contrast of bare and covered skin, her breathy gasps going to his head like strong drink.
“Russell.”
“Mmm?” He almost laughed as she gasped and arched against him, reacting to the vibrations his response created. Instead, he increased the suction on her nipple, tongue teasing the firm flesh, savoring her moan and reaching behind her to release the clasp of her bra. It dropped to the floor and Kathleen’s hands ran up the back of his neck to clutch his head. Transferring his attention to the other nipple, his fingers sought the waistband of her pants, popping open the button and lowering the zipper, the heavy, silky fabric slithering down her legs to pool at her feet.
“God,” he said, straightening and looking at her pleasure-hazy face. “I thought I liked skinny jeans, but I think I like whatever those are even better. Easy access.”
“I’m behind. Or ahead. Or something.” Her hands moved down, popping the buttons of his dress shirt, not stopping when she reached the last one. Instead, she undid his trouser button and lowered his fly. “I’m catching up, though,” she said, smoothing the shirt off his shoulders and down his arms, pushing his pants off his hips in the same movement.
“You are brutally efficient, lady.”
Kathleen didn’t respond, just kicked off her shoes, simultaneously kicking her pants to the side.
Proving his point, she guessed. But she didn’t care. And she suspected that he didn’t either. She took a swift inventory of their remaining clothing. Her panties, his tee shirt—nope, that was going the way of everything else—his boxer briefs…she hooked her fingers in his waistband at the same moment he seemed to have the same idea about shedding her of her underwear. Flicking her lacy panties aside with an impatient toe, she noticed his socks were still on his feet. Smirking, she sank to her knees. His sharp inhalation sounded loud in the quiet room. She blew a teasing breath through narrowly pursed lips at his rigid cock and tugged at one of his socks.
“Agh.” His hand smacked against his face and dragged downward. “Sexy, sexy socks. Great.”
“Hush.” She blew another stream of cool air at his cock bobbing at her eye level. “Let me get rid of the socks and maybe you’ll get a reward.”
“If you put it that way…” Russell lifted his feet in turn, letting her strip them off, then standing still, legs apart, breathing fast, eyes avid.
“Mmm.” Kathleen trailed a finger between his legs, savoring his hiss, caressing his balls with gentle fingers, tracking every hitch and change of his breathing. Leaning forward, she nuzzled his cock with a gentle nose, smiling when his breath hitched on a surprised laugh. Continuing to cup his balls, she licked a languid stripe from root to tip, then blew another stream of cold air, enjoying the way his thighs trembled and his lips quivered into a semi-triumphant smile.
“Why, Professor. I think you like it when I tease you.”
His eyes closed briefly, then slitted open, looking down at her, his fingers toying with her hair. “I love that you’re teasing me because I’m pretty sure you’re not toying with me.”
“Never.” Wrapping her fingers around the base, she angled him toward her, swirling her tongue over the head before taking him as deeply as she could, her hand pumping as she sucked and drew back, her cheeks hollowing.
“Holy hell, Kathleen.” His hand riffled through her hair as she drew him back into her mouth, relishing the textures, the taste, the smell of him. Hard, silky, salty, musky. Filling her senses, making her eyes heavy-lidded and languorous.
“Kathleen. Please.”
She paused on the upstroke, her tongue circling his head, her eyes lifting up to meet his, her eyebrows lifting, questioning.
“I don’t want to finish in your mouth.”
“Hmm.” She swirled a languorous tongue around his head. “And if I feel differently?”
His eyelids squeezed shut. “Can I get a rain check?”
The implications slammed through her. She knew they had talked about trying for something beyond the weekend but…this really made it real. She inhaled, not caring that she was shaky and vulnerable. His hands wrapped around her upper arms, lifting her to her feet.
“Let me love you,” he murmured against her lips.
Russell was giving everything away and he didn’t care. Every emotion, every vulnerability, everything he might have kept secret if he was more self-possessed, if she was less giving.
But he had zero chill and she might be the most generous woman he’d ever met.
She rose to meet his mouth and he could taste himself as he kissed her, their tongues tangling, her breasts pressed against his chest, his dick cradled against the soft skin of her belly. He gripped her ass, kneading and pressing her harder into him, making her hum with pleasure. Her hands pressed his shoulders and he moved backwards toward the bed, his mouth never leaving hers.
Turning them around, he lowered Kathleen to the mattress, breaking the kiss for a moment to grab a condom from a strip Kathleen had dropped on the nightstand before dinner, half-joking, half-sultry. Rolling it on, he climbed on the bed next to her. He could have exploded just from the languid smile she gave him, her legs opening and wrapping around his hips as he moved on top of her and slid inside. Her hair was spread out across the coverlet, almost exactly as he had imagined that first night.
“So sexy,” he murmured as his hips pressed against hers. She inhaled and he felt her tighten around him. “Good?”
“Mmm. Yes. Good angle is good.”
Keeping his strokes short, he pulsed into her, rewarded with every stroke by her body ratcheting tighter and tighter, her eyes squeezed shut. She panted, her teeth raking her lower lip. He stroked into her faster, a low moan deep in her throat urging him on. A few more strokes and she was arching into him, pulsing around him, a ragged cry of ecstasy flooding him with pleasure as he pressed his hips to hers.
“I love watching your face when you come. I love it.” He moved in longer strokes now, his own orgasm growing, building, coiling and exploding through him with a shuddering force, his eyes closing, his hips pushing one last time into her.
Kathleen’s cool hands on his face made him open his eyes. “God, I’m glad we aren’t going our separate ways tomorrow,” she said.
“Good.” Pulling out of her, he made his way on unsteady legs to the bathroom, dealt with the condom, and washed up. When he got back to the bedroom, Kathleen was under the covers, propped up on her side, watching him. The fading evening light from the windows behind her made her look luminous, mysterious. If he was an artist, he would paint her like that. As it was, he tried to fix the picture in his memory.
“Come on in. The sheets are soft,” she said, drawing the covers down.
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Sliding in, he pulled her to him, resting her head on his shoulder. He thought about sleeping in his own bed tomorrow night. Without her. He didn’t like the thought. But pointless to dwell on that when he had her in his arms. Stroking her hair, he was gratified by her soft sigh.
“I love how you pet me like I was your cat or something.”
“Nice kitty.”
“Meow.”
Chapter 17
“Rise and shine, sleepyhead.” Kathleen’s pillow was rumbling. And furry. And…petting her? She opened her eyes to bright sunshine, Russell’s sleepy brown eyes and…ow. Her neck was stiff from resting on Russell’s chest. All night? That couldn’t be right.
The pain in her neck was telling her otherwise.
“You okay?” Russell’s expression was half amusement, half alarm.
“My neck.” Kathleen twisted her head to the side, prompting another spasm of pain. “Ow.” She sat up, her teeth clenched and eyes closed.
“Aww.” Russell’s fingers smoothed her hair over her other shoulder, exposing the side that was seized up. His fingers probed the tense muscle and Kathleen inhaled, hissing with pain.
“Not the kind of gasp I like to hear from you.” His voice was worried.
“Got to work through the pain to make it go away, though.”
“You really want me to try to undo that knot?”
“Please?” Kathleen fought to keep from whimpering as his fingertips dug in, increasing the sensation but beginning to loosen the spasm. As the sharp pain dulled to a hot ache, Kathleen rolled her head a bit. “Oh, thank you. It was going to be hard to drive home and not be able to turn my head.”
“I could have driven.” He paused the gentle working of his fingers to kiss the spot where the pain and tightness had been most acute.
“Aww. That’s sweet. My car is a temperamental shitbox, though. Best if I deal with the driving.” She turned to face him, the sheet pooled in her lap. “We really have to go back, don’t we?”
“Yeah. I have final exams to grade, you have rehearsals to go to, and if we don’t do either of these things we’d have no more money to stay here and play. Anyway, you aren’t looking forward to Alicia and Colin having us over for dinner to play an endless loop of ‘We knew it’?”
Kathleen scrubbed her face with her hands and pushed her hair up off her forehead, her fingers getting caught in tangles. “I guess I wouldn’t miss that for the world,” she said, picking at her snarled ends.
“Come on.” He tugged her hand away from her hair. “You’re just making that worse. Let’s get cleaned up, get some breakfast in you. You seem all blue all of a sudden.”
It was true. She did feel listless and low. She slid off the bed after him and let him take her hand and pull her into the bathroom. He opened the shower door, started the water, then turned to her. “Sorry my chest wasn’t as comfy a pillow as I would have wanted.”
